PROVIDING TYNESIDE DISTRICTS WITH EFFICIENT ROAD SERVICES.
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The Latest Activities of a Prominent Bus Company who Control a Comprehensive Network of Services.
FLLY realizing the necessity for lidequate arrangements for keeping all vehicles in a state of first-class mechanical and general efficiency, the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., whose services radiate in all directions around Tyneside, with its densely peopled industrial areas, and the northern past of the county of Durham, with its iinportant mining and agricultural interests, have Since their inception in 1913 made the provision of adequate garage and repair facilities one of their primary objects. During the present year, which has been marked by unprecedented progress, the company have given just as much attention to the maintenance side as to the actual expansion of services.
The 1924 programme of the company, which embraces the inauguration of new services, the purchase of a large number of buses, and the erection of new garages, has been advanced with conspicu ous success to date. To indicate the progress which has been made it is interesting to note that since the beginning of the year new services covering about 50 miles of roadway have been opened up, bringing the total length of highway over which the company's buses operate up to over 160 miles.
This mileage, contrasted with the original route—a six-mile stretch from Lowfell tramway terminus to Chester-leStreet, the birthplace of the concern in 1913—is perhaps the most illuminating evidence which could be produced of the progressive spirit of the management and of the reliable and satisfactory services which they have planned, for such outstanding success could never have been secured without having first gained the entire confidence of the public.
Adequate as was the accommodation at Chester-le-Street, Stanley and Bensham—where the Northern General Transport Co., Ltd., have a huge overhaul and reconditioning depot—it was apparent some time ago that the task of housing the rapidly growing fleet of Daimler saloon buses would necessitate the erection of new buildings. It was decided in consequence that the most practical policy to pursue was that of dividing the district served into local areas, each with its own accommodation for vehicles and administrative staff, and to this end land was purchased at Sunderland and Consett with a view to erecting depots for the control of traffic routes radiating from these centres, whilst in addition it was further resolved materially to increase the capacity of the Chester-le-Street garage and office accommodation.
Such excellent progress was 'made with the scheme, as applying to the Wearside neighbourhood, that some time ago the new establishment in Sunderland was opened. The situation of the depot is a capital one, for it is in one of the leading thoroughfares of the town, and within easy access of all the principal shopping and business quar
ters. The building, which is attractively finished, has a frontage of 114 ft., and extends back from the road for 60 ft. it is equipped for ordinary maintenance work and for the execution of running repairs on vehicles engaged on the regular services operated from Sunderland, and a plentiful' supply of spare units is kept. in stock.
There is a Bowser installation at this depot, and the premises are heated by steam, whilst a notable feature is the inclusion of a waiting-room, which has been extensively used and found to bring a considerable amount of business. Thirty buses have been licensed by the local authorities and are housed in this depot. Accommodation is also provided for the office staff, and an inquiry bureau and booking office have resulted in increased business being obtained for the popular motor coach tours operated from Sunderland during the summer months. For this work the company have nine Daimler coaches, and a number of 20seater Daimler saloon buses on pneumatic tyres are also requisitioned on special occasions for coaching service.
Main overhauls and bodywrirk renovations are, of course, still carried out solely at the Bensham central repair depot.
The advancement of the Consett scheme has unfortunately been retarded by the stoppage in the building industry, but it will be expedited now that the strike has been settled, and when completed this establishment will house 30 buses. The intention is to carry out important developments in the western portion of the county, using the new garage as a centre for the neighbourhood in the same manner as the other garages
are now utilized. Adequate arrangements are to be provided for general upkeep work and small repairs, and a large Bowser installation similar to that at Sunderland will be fitted, whilst the garage will have its own administrative and other officials and staff.
A further noteworthy development is shortly to be put into effect at Bensham, where the call for additional accommodation is becoming imperative. A scheme is being considered for the erection of a new building on the present site, which covers in all about acres. About 11 acres are now occupied by buildings, so that there is ample room for extensions. This depot will accommodate a further 30 buses.
In all €0 new vehicles are being brought into service, and many have already been deliveied and the others are on order. These new buses embrace a number of unique features, the chief being the provision for increasing the carrying capacity. The chassis are of the Daimler Y type, as in the case of the majority of the other vehicles owned by the company, but by means of, lengthening the chassis wheelbase it has been found possible to arrange for 38 passengers to be carried in comfort, as compared with 32 on the standard type of vehicle. The bodies are supplied by the Brush Electrical Co., Ltd. of Loughborough, and are of a particularly smart design.
The completion of this delivery of new vehicles will bring the total fleet of the "Northern " up to about 170 machines. All are of the single-deck type, the majority being 32-seaters, with smaller-capacity buses on pneumatics for private party work.