AT THE HEART OF THE ROAD TRANSPORT INDUSTRY.

Call our Sales Team on 0208 912 2120

Cameos of Passenger-vehicle Operation

7th February 1936, Page 105
7th February 1936
Page 105
Page 106
Page 107
Page 105, 7th February 1936 — Cameos of Passenger-vehicle Operation
Close
Noticed an error?
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.

Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

A FLOURISHING BUSINESS IN A SMALL TOWN.

MHITCHURCH (Salop), a town of W 6,000 inhabitants in an agricultural district, is hardly a place where one would imagine a passenger-transport business to flourish, but Salopia Saloon Coaches, who have their headquarters there, have, in a comparatively short time, developed into the largest

non-combine passenger-carrying undertaking in the county.

The business, under the name of " Salopia," was commenced in 1926, when a new Thornycroft saloon coach was purchased, and year by year new vehicles have been added, in each case the chassis being a Thornycroft and the bodies specially built to the owners' requirements. In particular, the private-hire business has grown rapidly, and excursions, in spite of low railway fares, have continued to increase.

In 1929 extended holiday tours were put into operation. These cover Scotland, Devon, Cornwall, Scarborough, Bournemouth, etc., and have proved most successful. Excursions and tours are licensed to start from Whitchuroh, Wem, Press and Malpas, the last town being in the north-western area and the others in the west-midland area, whilst a large number of picking.

rip points is used. Thus, primary licences are held in two areas and backing licences in every area in England, Scotland and Wales.

In 1934, the old-established business of E. Chesworth and Son, of Dronington, near Whitchurch, was purchased, this consisting mainly of

services from Whrtehurch and district to Shrewsbury, Wrexham, Market Drayton, Nantwich, Ellesmere, etc.

The total vehicles owned by Salopia Saloon Coaches this season will be 15, two of these being hire cars and the remainder buses and coaches, mostly 32-seaters.

The three partners in the firm, Messrs. H. W. B., L. E. B. and F. A. B. Richards, each hold P.S.V. driving licences and, themselves, do a large amount of bus and coach driving. Thus they are always in direct touch with their passengers, and this, no doubt, has contributed in no small measure to the success achieved.

A FINE NETWORK OF SERVICES FOR LINCOLNSHIRE.

greater part of the passenger road-transport services in and around Scunthorpe. Lincolnshire, are provided by Enterprise and Silver Dawn Motors, Ltd. This company, which possesses an up-to-date centrally situated garage and bus station with waiting rooms and offices, was formed in 1927 to take over the services which had previously been operated by East Midland Motor Services, Ltd., in North Lincolnshire. The business actually commenced just prior to the war with the first " Enterprise " service to Lincoln and Gainsborough, followed by file "Silver Dawn" coach service in 1920.

The two interests were amalgamated in 1922 and rapid developments followed. In November, 1925, the existing Enterprise and Silver Dawn business was acquired by East Midland Motor Services, Ltd, (then W. T. Underwood, Ltd.), which company also at the same time acquired the services operated by the Progressive Omni

bus Co.—the business, as • previously mentioned, being reacquired by the second Enterprise and Silver Dawn Motors, Ltd., on June 1, 1927.

Since that date the services of Blue Progressive Motors, Ltd., Favourite Motor Services, Advance Motor Services, Ltd., Blue Bus Services (Scunthorpe), Ltd., and Perseverance Motors, besides several smaller concerns, have been acquired and merged into the Enterprise business. On January 1, 1936, a total of 70 vehicles was being operated, and four 32-seater saloons and five 26-seater saloons were on order.

The company has a staff of 200, and has subsidiary garages at Messingliam, Gainsborough, Brigg and Grimsby, with out-stations at Doncaster and Barton-on-Humber.

A complete network of daily services, linking up the town of Scunthorpe with the whole of the North Lincolnshire area, namely to Gainshorough, Lincoln, Brigg, Grimsby, New Holland, Crowle, Haxey and Doncaster is maintained, in addition to cross-country services connecting the various services from the respective termini. In addition to the country services a full town service is provided.

During the summer season an excursion service to many places of interest is operated, and daily services to Skegness, Cleethorpes, Bridlington and Scarborough are special features. An extensive private-hire business is carried on, and the company's popular evening tours are well patronized. An efficient parcel service is also part of the system.

The number of miles operated in 1935 was 2,324,710, and the total of

passengers carried was 4,166,765. The company is, we learn, standardizing on Regal 32-seater petrol buses.

BOURNEMOUTH'S SUCCESS WITH TROLLEYBUSES.

THE intention of Bournemouth Corporation to replace its tramcars with a more modern and efficient transport system was formed in 1932. The authorities were so impressed then with the merits of the trolleybus that they decided to try vehicles of this type on sine of their existing tramway routes. The trolleybus, with its smoothness and silence, seemed to be an ideal type for use in a town of this character.

Bournemouth, too, had a wellequipped generating station and, in connection with its tramways system, miles of underground cable and overhead equipment. The changes necessary in the overhead wiring for running trolleybuses could, therefore, be effected at a reasonable cost.

In May, 1933, the corporation commenced an experimental service over the route connecting County Gates with the Square. Three different makes of trolleybus were used, so that comparative data as to cost of running, reliability, etc., could be obtained. From the commencement the trolleybus ser vice..was a success. The passengers quickly appreciated the comfort of the new vehicles, the better time schedule, and the quietness of operation.

After this experimental service had been running for some months the authorities decided they had obtained abundant proof to justify the adoption of the trolleybus. As a result of the data obtained Bournemouth decided in October, 1933, to standardize SunbeamBTH six-wheeled double-saloon vehicles.

The first order placed with the Sunbeam concern was for 12 vehicles, the authorities planning to introduce further vehicles from time to time so that the tramways would be abolished entirely within a period of three years. The buses on the experimental route were so popular, however, that the original plan was speeded up. Further orders for Sunbeam vehicles followed rapidly, and before the end of the year 103 buses were ordered. This was, and is still, the largest fleet of a single make of trolleybus purchased by any municipality. In June, 1934, the first route—previously the service had been experimental—was officially opened. Other routes have since been opened, and it is now only a question of weeks before Bournemouth's roads will be entirely free of tramlines.

The following figures show the extraordinary increase in passengers since trolleybuses superseded the tramcars at Bournemouth. In the twelve months ended June 20, 1935, the passengers carried on the first route opened, as compared with a similar, period in 1933-34 when trams and an experimental service of four trolleybuses were operating, showed an increase in numbers of 1,219,942, or over 21 per cent.

On two shorter routes the increase has been even more astonishing. From June 7 to September 18, 1935, 543,036 more passengers—an increase of over 33 per cent.—were carried than in 'the corresponding period of the previous year when trams were running on the same routes.

A WORKMEN'S SERVICE FOR AUSTIN EMPLOYEES.

AWORKMEN'S service is usually regarded as an auxiliary to the operation of stage-carriage licences, and it is interesting to find an example of such a service which is an operator's main business. In 1932 Messrs. W. Ward and Sons, of Wolverhampton, were the first to begin operating from their city a service for workmen employed by the Austin Motor Co., Ltd., of Northfield, Birmingham, a dis

tance of 20 miles. On their first journey they carried only 16 passengers, but as the service became known the numbers increased very rapidly, and before long their fleet of six vehicles, with a total carrying capacity of 130, was engaged on this service.

The morning service leaves Wolverhampton at 7 o'clock to arrive at Northfield at 8 a.m., when the coaches are parked in a nearby coach park, with the exception of those required to bring home the night shift, and the remaining drivers. The necessary coaches and drivers leave Wolverhampton at 4.30 p.m. to bring home the day shift at 5.30 p.m.

As the Austin Motor Co., Ltd.,

always has a number of workmen on a night shift, there are the night men to pick up in Wolverhampton at 6 p.m. to arrive at Northfield at 7 p.m., and the overtime men, who have stayed on until the arrival of the night shift, to bring home.

The advantages of this servite were so much appreciated that the Traffic Commissioner thought fit to grant Messrs. W. Ward and Sons powers to operate any number of vehicles that, the service might require. It is interesting to note that Messrs. W. Ward and Sons claim to be the largest private operators on this service, and they have carried no fewer than 295 passengers on the day shift and 172 on the night shift, making a total of 467 in one day. In 1935 the total number of passengers carried was 175,169.

Messrs. W. Ward and Son purchased their two Maudslay 32-seater de luxe coaches with Burlingham bodies in 1933; these vehicles are also used in the summer for tours and excursions. They were so well satisfied with these vehicles that they continued to purchase Maudslays so that they now have a fleet of 14, including two of the latest S.F.40 model, giving a total carrying capacity of approximately 500 passengers on the Austin works' service.

STEADY EXPANSION OF A BISHOP AUCKLAND ENTERPRISE.

AS early as 1913 the bus business which now operates under the name of " O.K. " Motor Services was established, an old Gladiator vehicle then being used. From that year until 1935 the fleet grew from one to over twenty vehicles. Although the war arrested the progress of the business and Mr. Wade Emmerson, the proprietor, was serving in His Majesty's forces, nevertheless,

it has expanded slowly but surely, until to-day it is one of the largest independent operators in the northeast, The fleet consists mainly of Leyland Lion and Tiger vehicles, which have proved to be very reliable, whilst two 1932 A.E.C. Regals are still giving ex cellent service. All the vehicles are single-deckers.

Apart from a considerable privatehire and tours business and special contract work, regular daily services are operated between Bishop AucklandSpennymoor-Newcastle-on-Tyne, a tance of 26 miles; Bishop AucklandMiddleton-in-Teesdale-High Force, 26 miles; Bishop Auckland-Evenwood, 6 miles ; Bishop Auckland-Toft HillMorley, 6 miles ; Bishop AucklandWitton Park Witton le Wear, 6 miles ; whilst on market days various services are operated to Barnard Castle. The Bishop Auckland-Spsnnymoor-Newcastle service is run in conjunction with another operator—Mr. E. lIowe, of Marmaduke Garage, Spennymoor, During the year 1935 ".0.K.", Motor Services carried practically a million and a half passengers, which is quite a remarkable achievement, considering that the enterprise operates in a very distressed area. A staff of 50 is employed and the annual mileage is in the region of 750,000.

In the past much competition has had to be faced both from combine companies and other independent operators, but practically no recourse has been made to acquisition as a

means of extension, the proprietor preferring to continue the control of an enterprise he has built up. He thinks that the present day holds good prospects for the independent operator, which in a large measure is due to the 1930 Act having strengthened the position of the smaller operator and protected him from the large combine iuterests.

An interesting side of the business is the express parcel service, upon which a Morris 10-cwt. van is kept fully engaged in distributing parcels from a central office situated in the Town Hall Buildings, Bishop Auckland, and transferring parcels from one service to another. During the past three years this side of the business has increased to a marked extent.

Most of the services operated are of a semi-rural character and the busiest days are market days in the neighbour ing towns and, of course, Saturdays.

Only one oil-engined vehicle , operated and the data at present to hand is insufficient to justify a comparison being drawn between that type and the petrol vehicles.

Total operating costs are well below the average, which, Mr. Emrnerson states, is solely due to efficient maintenance, careful recording of statistical data and minute attention to details.

At present a new garage is in the course of erection at Bishop Auckland. When the first section is completed it will accommodate 20 32-seater vehicles and Will effect the centralization of all garages, workshops and offices, whereas at present four garages are in use.

POPULAR COACHING ENTERPRISE IN LONDON'S EAST END.

(-NNE of the most widely known and V./popular coaching companies in the ea.st-end of London is Eastern Belle Motor Services, Old Ford, a firm which, beginning in 1919 with A.E.C. vehicles, and having for a period transferred its allegiance to other makes, resolved, in 1931, to return to its original choice as the initial step in standardizing its fleet. The first Regal coach, marking the beginning of the new regime, ran 100,000 miles before the repair bill totalled 50s.!

The company started its activities with a Tylor-engined char-à-banes used for private-hire work, and this, having been appropriately named "Eastern Belle," gave the concern its eventual trading title. In 1932 two further Tylor-engined vehicles, with solid tyres, were obtained, and regular trips were organized to Clacton, Southend, Margate and Brighton. Four years later, when some of the original vehicles hail been given saloon bodies and fitted with pneumatic tyres, regular week-end and daily summer services were established to Great Yarmouth, Margate, Ramsgate and Southend.

The first A.E.C. Regal was followed by another in 1933 and in 1985 the fleet was still further modernized by the addition of three more Regals.

• As might be expected in a business so largely seasonal in character, the " Eastern Belle " company relegates all its major repair work to the winter months, when only a proportion of the fleet is licensed.

In the past year the firm's vehicles carried some 56,000 passengers.


comments powered by Disqus