A TYNESIDE COMPANY'S COACHING ACTIVITIES.
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Reasons for the Success of a North Shields Owner whose Progress Has Been Most Marked of Recent Years.
-10 UILT up upon a sound policy, the ,L)axioni of which is eervice and the aim to provide first class road travel at approximately third class railway rates, the extensive Tyneside motor coaching business of Mr. Thos. Wakefield, of the Preston Avenue Garages, North Shields, has gone steadily from success to suc
cess during recent years. It is the proud claim of this owner, who ranks as one of the pioneers of the motorcoaching industry in the north country, that each succeeding season has seen material increases in the extremely smart and efficient fleet winch he operates, anti corresponding advances in the numbers of passengers carried.
Additions to Mr. Wakefield's fleet and figures dealing with the amount of business transacted over the past few seasons speak for themselves as to the successful basis upon which this proprietor makes his bid for patronage. In 1922 the fleet numbered seven coaches, whilst this season 12 vehicles are in service. In other words, the ilea has been practically doubled in the short space of three years, and that, be it noted, in a period during which many coaching concerns have effected curtailmeirts rather than extensions.
B40 During the 1924 season Mr. Wakefield's fleet of 11 coaches covered an aggregate mileage of 85,767, as compared with 47,908 miles in 1922, when seven coaches were in COMMISCion, and 62,869 miles in 1923, when nine vehicles were in use. The number of passeneets carried in 1924 was more than double the total carried in 1922, and an increase of 33 per cent, over those earned in 1923, the actual figures for the respective years being as follow :-1922, 18,978; 1923, 27,652; 1924, 40,272.
The vehicles which gave such gratifying results last season are all available for service for the. 1925 campaign, and additions of more than usual interest are being made. The PreSent fleet is constituted of two 30-seater Thornycrofts, one one 33eseater Thornycroft, one 18-seater Thornyeroft, one 30-setter Dennis, three 33-theater Leylande, one 20-seater Vulcan, one 18-seater Sta, one 14-seater Fiat and a new and 1.3xuriously appointed 26-seater Dennis.
The last-named vehicle, the Usk:lie of which is the latest Dennis 2i-ton pneumatic-tyred chassis, is well worthy of special reference by reason of its lavish construction. The saloon body is the work of Messrs. Straehan and Brown, and the vehicle should certainly fulfill the purpose for which it has been bought, namely, to attract high-class traffic. One of the most striking features of this coach is the beautiful scheme of interior decoration. The double-roof is lined with lincrusta and mahogany ornamentation and is surrounded by a frieze of similarly pleasing design. Neat .silk curtains are provided for each of the large, self-locking, . balanced plate-glass drop windows, whilst the centre lamp forms the inner part of an Airvac ventilator. Special attention has been paid to the arrangement of the seats in order to give the maximum amount of ease and comfort to passengers. The seats are of the semi-bucket type and each ie upholstered with leather, the eprinz backs being covered with grey carpet, whilst in front of each seat is a footrest. The interior fittings, which include flower vases and ash-trays, are silver-plated. The passen= ger entrance is at the front and an emergency exit is provided in the domed hack portion of the body. By means of a sliding glass panel this can he opened in a moment either from outside oe inside. The body is finished in blue crystalline paint, addet effect being derived from smart black and gold lining.
Apart from the addition of this unit, the most outstanding feature of Mr. Wakefield's arrangements for the present season is the fitting of pneumatic
tyres on the entire fled, in place of solids and cushion equipment used in past years. As has already been indicated, the object of this enterprising proprietor is to leave no stone unturned in Ms efforts to provide the best travel conditions . for patrons, and this latest step has been effected in order still further to strengthen the claim that his fleet is one of the best in the whole country from the standpoints of mechanical efficiency and riding comfort. Michelin, Macintosh and Dunlop pneumatics have been fitted, twins being used on the rear wheels, and during the close season all vehicles have been completely overhauled and engines tuned-up and put in the pink of condition.
The outcome of these activities during the close season was seen by a representative of this journal on the occasion of a recent visit to the Preston Avenue Garages. Each unit—even those which have seen continuous service since 1919 and 1920—told its own tale of careful attention. Each vehicle, with its new coat of paint, looked as if it had just been turned out of the hands of the manufacturers, whilst a peep under the bonnets revealed a pleasing state of mechanical cleanliness. The present fleet can accommodate a complement of 320 passengers.
Mention must now be made of the class of business which is likely to be in the forefront during the course of the few months from Whitsuntide to the end of September, which constitutes the coaching season for the majority of north-country coaching undertakings.
In the case of a business like that of Mr. Wakefield's, which relies upon a recognised and ever-increasing list of regular clients, it is perfectly easy to see that each succeeding season will bring a popular demand for tours to districts and beauty spots farther afield, for all the notable sights nearer Tyneside have, during the past few years, been very thoroughly explored. During the coming season patrons are evincing a desire for whole-day tours over new routes, and these will, in the main, cover mileages embracing between 140 and 180. Practically all runs will be mapped out on the circular principle. Some customers are showing a decided preference for extended tours, to the English Lakeland and Scotland.
On the question of fares, Mr. Wakefield informs us he has always found patrons ready to pay a reasonable charge for the high-class and exclusive travel which can be provided by smallcapacity pneumatic-tyred coaches and
that, whilst the rate basis is approximately lid. per passenger per mile, he makes an additional charge of is. per passenger when a 14-seater coach is engaged and fid. per head extra for a 20-seater vehicle.
In the way of maintenance Mr. Wakefield's fleet is an example which, if followed generally, would materially increase the prestige of the motor-coaching industry. He places the greatest importance upon the care of vehicles, and regards money spent upon their upkeep as quite the best outlay from a business-bringing standpoint. "Let your coaches be their own advertisement" is the line which he takes.
During the season a special night staff is engaged to clean down each vehicle at the end of every outing, and each unit is given a searching examination prior to turning out on the following morning, the whole aim being to keep as near as possible 100 per cent. of the fleet on the road the season through.
Mr. Wakefield has just made an interesting development with a view to catering adequately for repairs to commercial and other motor vehicles. He has recently fitted up and opened a spacious new establishment in Albion Road, North Shields, and has secured the services of Mr. Norman R. M. Yeadou, A.M.IX.E., to take over the management. Mr. Yeadon was formerly manager to Turnbulls, Ltd., of the same town, and has had a wide experience in the various branches of the motor industry. The machinery and equipment of this new repair department will enable all classes of work to be undertaken with the utmost despatch. A sales side is also incorporated in the new depot and adequate arrangements have been made for the supply of motor spirit, oils, accessories, etc., to all classes of road user.