PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
Page 28
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.
NIGHT TRAVEL BETWEEN MANCHESTER AND LONDON.
Some Details of an Interesting Road Service and of a Vehicle which has been Purchased for it.
AN interesting night service by pas senger.motor. vehicle has been established between Manchester and Leindon ' by Majestic Saloon Coach Services, whose London headquarters are at 18, Woburn Place, Russell Square, and whose. Manchester office is at 9, Oxford Road. The route is via St. Albans, Dunstable, Coventry, Birmingham, Wolverhanipton and Newcastle-underLyme, the journey from London being made on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays of each week and the retain trip on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. In each case the vehicle leaves at 11 p.m. and arrives at its destination in time for business to be transacted early in the morning,
• The vehicle which the firm has expressly purchased for this service is shown in an accompanying illustration. It is a Crossley-Eagle saloon, the chassis being Of the forward-control type and the body being the work of Spicers Motors, Ltd., 141, Shakespeare Street, Southport. The interior appointments have been carried out to ensure that comfortable travel is given on long journeys. The seats are arranged to accommodate 24 people, and they consist of 12 what might be termed settees, these being upholstered in a combination of moquette and leather.
As is customary on vehicles often used on long-distance work, a buffet and lavatory are incorporated in the body design, and these are disposed at the rear on each side of a gangway leading to the emergency door. In the back of each seat a folding glass-topped table is built, and upon this light meals can be served, the buffet being equipped to enable tea, coffee, biscuits and cheese and other refreshments to be supplied, the charges for them being quite reasonable.'
The roof is of the clerestory pattern and is finished on the inside with Lincrusta, panels with mahogany mouldings giving a pleasing finish. There are two Airvac ventiletors in the roof, and with each of these an interiv lamp is 1244 incorporated. In addition, there are six large flush-fitting lamps of attractive pattern.
The drop windows at the sides are of the -Rawlingr type, and fitted above them are the usual type of ventilating louvres. Luggage racks are disposed above each window, between the artistic roof supports. The vehicle is heated by means of a special spirit burner, and this, in conjunction with adequate ventilating equipment, ensures that the temperatnre is maintained at a comfortable level.
Majestic Saloon Coach Services take the wise precaution of carrying two drivers on the vehicle, the change over from one to the other being effecte4 at Birmingham. The man who is off duty so far as driving is concerned is deputed to give attention to the requirements of passengers, and, in this connection, he prepares whatever refreshments may be needed.
Passengers do not always find that they want to settle down for the night eo_scan as they hoard the vehicle, and for this reason the firm has equipped the vehicle with an H.M.V. portable gramophone, which is intended to he used during the early stages of the journey. A supply of 24 records is at hand and the numbers have been chosen so that most of the preferences of passengers can be met.
The fares prevailing on this service are much lower than those charged on the railway, being 16s. 6d. single and 30s. return.