Operating Aspects of
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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
OPERATORS EXPERIENCE A SUCCESSFUL EASTER
London Coach Stations Handle More Traffic 1 F] XCEPTIONALLY fine weather was of great benefit to coach operators during the Easter holidays, whilst the new penny-a-mile rail facilities appeared to offer no great inducement to the public to forsake coach travel in favour of the railways.
The amount of business handled by the big London coach stations may be regarded as a guide to the state of the coaching industry, and from reports that we have secured from those establishments, it would appear that the industry is in a strong position.
London Coastal Coaches, Ltd., recorded that the business handled during the Easter holidays was greater than that dealt with last year. Traffic to the north was about the same in volume, but that to the south and west was considerably heavier. Brighton and Margate were probably the most popular resorts served from the station. It was necessary to turn away large numbers of would-be passengers, because as they wished, for the most part, to return last Monday evening, it was impossible to secure a sufficient number of vehicles to carry them.
At the Kings Cross Coach Station a similar state of affairs prevailed and, again, it was impossible to accept dayreturn bookings on Monday last. From this station, Southend proved to be a particularly popular destination, and altogether it was estimated that the total volume of business handled represented an improvement on last year's figure.
The officials of the London Terminal Coach Station were highly satisfied with the results of the week-end's work,
and it was thought that a record had been created. Bookings on services to Brighton, Margate and Clacton were particularly heavy and traffic was being refused as early as on Good Friday.. Other popular resorts were Bournemouth, Norwich and Yarmouth.
We were informed that bookings had been left until a rather later date than usual, but that the guaranteed seat pro) vided on the coach proved to be a useful asset in the face of the new railway
The Central London Road Transport Station found that business was not quite so good as last year, and it was felt that the penny-a-mile rail fares had had some adverse effect upon traffic to the north. Nevertheless, bookings had to be refused on Sunday and Monday, and it was estimated that between 5,000 and 6,000 people were moved during the holiday.