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The Beginnin gs of the Bus

18th January 1963
Page 11
Page 11, 18th January 1963 — The Beginnin gs of the Bus
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A N YONE interested in the early 1-16history of the bus can obtain remarkable value for money in the form of two outwardly modest booklets published by the British Transport Commission at ls. 6d. each. Entitled " The Horse Bus as a Vehicle " and "The Early Motor Bus ", both are written by Charles E Lee, a well-known authority. The first takes the story of the horse bus from •Shillibeer's vehicle, which introduced the word " omnibus" to the English language in 1829, through its heyday just after the turn of the century, when 3,736 were licensed for use in London, to its rapid decline, which was virtually complete by 1914. The various standard forms of layout used at different periods are described and illustrated and the pattern of development is clearly brought out. This reviewer's interest in buses had not hitherto extended back to the horse-drawn era to any extent, but the story is presented in a way, that is fascinating as well as being full of factual information. Moreover it is very concisely written and the booklet's 32 pages are more enlightening than previous more massive volumes on the subject.

• The sam'e is true of "The Early Motor Bus", although this is slightly longer. Brief reference is spade to early essays of the production of self-propelled buses at the beginning of the nineteenth century, but attention is concentrated on the period between 1889 and 1919.

Mr. Lee brings out the way in which the evolution of comparatively efficient motorbuses caused a remarkably rapid expansion. Although various experimental vehicles were in service at the beginning of the century there were only 20 motorbuses of all types licensed by the Metropolitan Police for use in London at the beginning of 1905. Some 230 were running in London by the end of that year and by March, 1908, there were 1,000. By October 31, 1910, the London General Omnibus Co. had exactly equal numbers of horse and motorbuses. 1,142 of each. A year later the last L.G.O.C. horse bus had gone.

• Both booklets deal largely with London buses, but this is simply a reflection of the way circumstances tended to encourage their rapid development to a greater extent than applied

elsewhere. A.A.T.

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People: Charles E Lee
Locations: London

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