A STOCKTON COMPANY'S COACHING ACTIVITIES.
Page 21
Page 22
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Review of the Operations of a Prominent Tees-side Company who Cater Especially for High-class Trade.
iniNE of the most notable features of
the 1925 motor coaching season, so far a's the north country is concerned, and a feature which indicates the steady and certain rise of the industry to a higher level, is the increased use which is being made by many proprietors of luxuriously appointed enclosed coaches for the specific purpose of cultivating what is generally styled the better-class trade. A Tees-side company who were quick to appreciate the value of such a vehicle are the South Durham Motors, Ltd., of Stockton. They were amongst the pioneers in the area and have for some years past assiduously devoted their efforts to the establishment of a road-coaching service which ensures punctuality, reliability and riding comfort.
The successful results achieved over the past few seasons, in face of adverse trade conditions, which have rendered the position of many coaching undertakings extremely precarious,, is, in itself, adequate testimony to the wisdom of this line of action, and the recent addition to the company's fleet of a handsome Karrier 20-seater coach of the enclosed type indicates that the same policy of " service " and the same desire to meet the requirements of the travelling public still animate the management.
The total fleet consists of five vehicles, and ig made up of the new Barrier, two 24-seater Daimlers and two 16-seater Vulcans. During the season all the coaches have been kept fully employed, and it is confidently expected that when the 1925 season closes last year's results will be surpassed. During the 1924 season the four vehicles then in service covered a total mileage of approximately 40,000 and conveyed upwards of 10,000 passengers.
The sound and attractive construction of the Karrier coach merits a brief description. The vehicle is of the forward-entrance type and provision is made in the arrangement of the seating so as to permit of the inclusion of a small table for the convenience of passengers desiring to pass away the time on long runs. For this reason the seats at the forward end of the coach are arranged transversely in the ordinary way, but those at the rear are disposed round the body, thus fortuing a compartment. The upholstery is of smart grey antique leather, and the scats themselves are of the Marshall patent buoyant type.
The inside of the coach body is in mahogany, with the top finished in Lincrustra, and the roof is fitted with Airvac ventilators. The plate-glass windows are all provided with regulators and can be raised or lowered according to the requirements of travellers, so that in hot weather passengers have all the beneficial advantages of travel by open coach, whilst in inclement weather they can be completely sheltered.
The vehicle is shod with Dunlop pneumatics, and the riding comfort has been a source of congratulatory comment by passengers who have made both long and short journeys in the coach. The longest run it has completed to date is a seven-day tour through Scotland. The vehicle was supplied by Pearse and Dobson, Ltd., motor bodybuilders, of Grove Street, Stockton, who are to be complimented upon the luxurious body design and upon the workmanship of its ''finish. The price
of the body complete, mounted on chassis, was £300.
The management of the South
• Durham Motors, Ltd., pay particular attention to attractive forms of publicity, and have introduced many innovations in order to popularize coaching in their own district,. One of the most interesting schemes adopted was that put into force. last year, primarily with the object of securing increased numbers of bookings in the early and late weeks of the season, when there is a general tendency for business to be below the average. The scheme, it might be mentioned, proved equally effective during the busier periods. The idea, roughly, takes the form of a special bonus to booking agents, on competitive lines, in order to offer a special incentive to canvas orders during the leaner weeks. It was productive of such excellent results last season as to warrant its continuation this year.
In addition to the customary commissions of 5 per cent, on bookings which the company allow to all agents and promoters of tours, prizes are awarded for the three highest official receipts for each month from April to September. The first prize is £5 per month, with second and third prizes of £3 and £1 respectively. The decision is made each month by the Company's auditors, and is awaited with the keenest interest by agentt.
This season all those whole and half
day tours which were operated in 1924 are being maintained, and, since the purchase of the saloon coach, increased attention has been paid to extended tours. Journeys to Scotland, Wales and Blackpool are this year all in popular demand. The Blackpool tour is generally operated over three days, allowing one day at the popular Lancashire seaside resort, and the Scottish and Welsh runs are generally of six or even seven days' duration.
Fares have remained unchanged from 14,st year, the last " cut " having been made at the opening of the 1'924 season, when all charges were reduced by about 10 per cent. Since that time there have been no decreases in running or overhead charges to warrant further concessions being made. The existing basis is lid. per passenger per mile, and the following summary of charges for a number of the more populir tours provides an idea of the charges on Tees-side generally, and, in addition, indicateS the extensive neighbourhood covered by the company's coaches :—
Direct to Destination Tours. Dis
tance. Fare.
Miles. Venue. s. d.
60 Barnard Castle ... ... 6 0 180 Lake Ullswater and Pat
terdale ... 14 0
74 Newcastle (via Sunder land) ... 8 0 75 Ripon ... 8 0 55 Sunderland.' 6 6 90 Whitley Bay (via New castle) ... 8 6 70 Whitby .,. 7 6
98 York 8 6
Circular Tours Miles. s. d. 100 Harrogate and Knares borough ... 9 0 105 Richmond, Leyburn and Aysgarth .. .. 9 6
122 Scarborough ... .., 12 120 Whitby (via Goathland Moors and Efentsley)... 11 6