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The Independent Spirit Still Lives
Page 84
Page 85
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in passenger transport
L XPRESS, private-party, excursion and tour, and stage-carriage services are all included in the prograrnine of Arthur Mayne and Son, Ltd., the largest of the remaining independent operators in Manchester. Mr. Mayne (who, by the way, has other business interests) enjoys the struggles now associated with the road-transport " game" and all along has been determined to live up to the real meaning of the word " independent. '
Being formerly associated with the furniture business, he decided to get a similar sort of work in the transport field, and with a Ford van he started to undertake removals. In 1923 he bought his first A.E.C. and his present fleet—six double-deck and eight singledeck vehicles—consists entirely of machines of this make.
He gained some years' experience on the goods side and then he decided to concentrate on passenger work. Accordingly, in 1926, the business changed over entirely to that side and the Mayne coaches were the first to give a through service from their locality on the east of Manchester a42 direct to Blackpool. Although. in
those days, the 55-mile journey OCC LIpied 3i. hours, the facilities still proved popular. ' At present, the express service (on a much tightet schedule) is operated from Stalybridge, Ashton-under-Lyne, Audenshaw and Droylsden to Blackpool and runs daily from Easter until the end of the " Illuminations " period.
Stage-carriage services are run locally in Droylsden and on the Manchester-Audenshaw route. This development commenced in 1926, being inspired by the possibilities made evident during a tramway strike that took place a little earlier. Up to eight machines are used, at peak hours, on the two stage-carriage services, but during quiet times it is possible for three vehicles to do all that is necessary. Compared with the days before the commencement of the Mayne bus services, Droylsden has seen an extraordinary improvement in passenger transport. Recently, trolleybuses have replaced trams and co-incident with their introduction it has been found that snore passengers are using the Mayne services.
In view of the varied calls upon the fleet, it is important that no vehicle shall be off the road for any lengthy period, and this end is achieved by conducting all maintenance in the company's garage and using the spareunit system, so that engine, gearbox, back axle, front axle or steering box may be changed over complete. Minor body repairs are also carried out by the company's own men. For any one of these purposes it can be reckoned that no machine need he off the road for more than .a single day. However. it is the custom to send' major body repairs to the manufacturers.
In the near future, a new garage is being opened, which will provide waiting rooms and modern conveniences for passengers. This establishment, it is claimed, will be the first of its kind to be provided by an independent operator in the northwestern area.
Figures, in respect of passenger journeys during 1938, show a record total and during one quarter's working over 500,000 individual journeys were made by the stage-carriage services. In addition to extensive contract usage, a further 20,000 passengers were carried on excursions and on the Blackpool express service.