OPERATING BUSES OVER 200 ROUTE MILES.
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The Activities of a Prominent Company Who Have Been Operating Buses for a Number of Years, and Who Control a Large Network of Services.
MBE PAST twelve months have witnessed quite the most remarkable advancement in passenger road transport in the north country since the first appearance of motorbuses in this area as far back as 1912 and 1913. The most outstanding direction in which -progress has been made is not that of mere route expansions—although it is true there have been many extensive developments in this connection—but a much more signficant phase, and one which has done much to further enhance the development of the travel-byroad movement. Progress in 1925 took the form of a fairly general movement throughout the area to provide rolling stock of the very latest types, so that the maximum efficiency and comfort were provided, and also the provision of modern facilities for adequately maintaining these vehicles. This policy is demonstrated in the rapid replacement of solid-tyred, large-capacity units by light and speedy pneumatic-tyred chassis fitted with the latest and most imoroved products of bodybuilders. An enterprising and progressive company who have given a praiseworthy lead in these matters are the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., who, since their inception, have laid themselves out to provide the best possible facilities for the travelling public. The original activities of the company were concentrated upon Chester-le-Street as far back as 1913, and, from a modest start with
a route mileage of six or seven, the system has expanded so quickly that it now extends an round Tyneside and over a large portion of the densely peopled mining and industrial districts of Durham County, the total route mileage at the present time being about 200. The system serves an area containing some hundreds of towns, villages and hamlets, with an aggregate population running well into seven figures.
During the past twelve months the company have increased their route mileage by about 40 or 50, but, as has already been indicated, even more concrete if less visible progress has been made in other ways. The provision of increased garage accommodation formed a notable portion of the 1925 programme, and, during the year, considerable headway was made with the company's policy of dividing the system into a number of sections, each more or less self-contained. In other words, the system is operated from a chain of depots, each acting as the hub for routes converging upon a particular point.
Prior to 1925 these depots were situated at Chester-le-Street, Bensham, Stanley and Sunderland, the accommodation provided being for 62, 30, 20 and 30 buses respectively. During last year extensive additions were completed at the Chester-le-Street headquarter. thus making the total garage space sufficient to house 84 vehicles, whilst towards the close of the year another new depot, to form the centre of a district in which extensive developments are being recorded, was opened at Consett, and this is capable of housing 26 vehicles.
In addition the Bensham garage, which also embraces the central workshops and repair and overhaul depot, has been extended to house another 30 vehicles, the total buildings at that place now covering approximately 21 acres. Work has now commenced at another new centre, namely, at Murton, where a large and modern garage is in course of erection, and this will provide accommodation for a further 45 buses, the vehicles being intended for the development of the eastern portion of• the County of Durham.
By means of the establishment of a number of depots, efficiency is considerably increased, and economy is effected in operation, by reason of the fact that dead mileage is reduced to a minimum as compared with the operation of vehicles from one or two large central garages.
In connection with the present expansions in the East Durham area, the company early in the year completed the purchase of the Invincible Motor Services, the proprietors of which had previously carried on a fairly extensive system in the Wearside and Seaham Harbour neighbourhoods, with a fleet of 22 Daimler single-decker saloon buses.
Another noteworthy feature of the past year's constructional programme was the provision of a large and excellently appointed motorbus station at Gateshead. The company were the pioneers of the bus station idea in the area. The use of such stations is now becoming a very definitepart of the organization of most of the prominent busoperating concerns throughout the country.
Some idea of the dimensions and general layout of this important addition to the company's facilities can be gleaned from an accompanying illustration. The station now acts as the terminal point for all services radiating from Gateshead and is proving of the utmost value, providing, as it does, an extensive stand clear of the busy thoroughfares, and yet in the most central 'part of the town. Large and well-lighted waiting-rooms, a bureau and other amenities give to road travellers all the comforts and conveniences of rail travel, and an official is on duty to assist intending passengers as to choice of routes, etc. Waitingrooms on a lesser scale are provided at Low Pell and Sunderland, and others are under contemplation.
Changes in the composition and organization of the fleet all tell the same tale of nntiring and unabated efforts to give maximum riding comfort and speedy transit. To this end pneumatic tyres have come much more into evidence during the year, and a speedy replacement of solids by this class of equipment is still proceeding. Incidentally, it might be mentioned that, whereas solid-tyred vehicles were in a large majority in the north country• some two years ago, the position has now so changed that pneumatic-tyred units are predominant and continue to gain favour on all sides.
The popular demand for rapid travelling has been met by the introduction of a number of speedy 31-seater S.O.S. omnibuses on giant pnuematics, these being of sufficiently low weight to come within the scope of the proposed regulations governing high-speed vehicles. A commencement was made with this type of bus in the closing months of 1924 and, to date, over fifty have been put into service on numerous routes. The total fleet of the company numbers about 180 vehicles, the remainder being comfortable single-decker Daimlers with bodies capable of accommodating from 20 to 38 passengers.
To review of the growth of the
Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., is to look back upon twelve years of steady endeavour to give the travelling public maximum comfort and reliability, coupled with reasonable fares. A glance at the accompanying map will serve to Show the large area in which their services run, as well as the arrangement of depots through which the system is administered.
The company also do an extensive motor coaching business in the summer months, last year's elaborate programme of advertised tours alone embracing 231 trips, as against only 192 for the previous season. The total mileage covered on coach tours was between 40,000 and 50,000 in 1925, as compared with only about 20,000 in 1924.