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Motorbuses in London.

A Review and Up-to-date Summary : with Key-map.

A detailed review of the facts relating to the motoromnibus situation. in London, on January 1st, 1907, follows, naturally, as a corollary of the article that appeared in the first number of THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR for the year

1906. It was, then, stated that the number of motor omnibuses in commission, on January 1st, eao4, was eight, all single-deckers; on January 1st, 1905, it had increased to 20, of which 12 were single-deckers; whilst, on January 1st, 1900, the number had leapt up to 230, of which 14 were single-deckers. This journal has published a fortnightly census throughout the past year, and, as will be found from the figures given in the usual form on this page, the total number in commission on the evening of Decentber 31st, 1906, amounted to 795, all of which are doubledeckers.

It is interesting to compare the totals at the end of each month, and to note the variation in the rate of increase from month to month, for the past year.

It will he noticed that the recorded totals increased, steadily, right up to the end of September, except for a temporary set-hack in May, due to the failure of the Rapid Road Transit Company, and the consequent withdrawal of its omnibuses from service. The increase was most marked in September, and, after that, the rate would have remained uniform, or increased further, had the police not developed a sudden activity in the matter of insisting on a specially low degree of noise, and a standard which was not reached by many of the vehicles submitted for licensing. This sudden falling-off was accentuated by the fact that MilnesDaimler, Limited, was altering. the design of its bus, and completed all of the old 11906) pattern, about the end of June, so that they were licensed by July t2th, and in service a few weeks later. A considerable interval then elapsed, before it was possible to deliver the new (1907) pattern in any quantity. The average monthly increase only amounts to 47, or less than two per diem, whereas the efforts made by the numerous exhibitors of omnibus chassis at the Olympia Exhibition of November, 1905, and at the Agricultural Hall Exhibition of March, T906, justified expectations of considerably greater increases. There can be no doubt that this average would have come up to three per diem, if the police had adhered to the original standard agreed, and if the omnibuses which are standing at the various depots, and those which would have been delivered during the last three months, had not been refused on the score of undue noise in running.

Distribution and Density of Motorbus Traffic.

The accompanying map of London's motor-omnibus routes, which has been corrected up to midnight on Decernber 31st, 1906 (Monday last), indicates each service by a different line, and these lines are distinguished by the initial letters of the terminal places on the route, whilst a key is provided, with full details of, and the number of omnibuses in commission on, each route. In order to make the map more distinct in the central area, all portions within the dotted circle are drawn to a scale twice as large as the outer portions. The numbers given in the key show the total number of omnibuses in commission (the total corresponding with that of the census given. above), but, naturally, these were not all in service on Monday last : some were under repair, some were " hung up" on the road, others were in the painters' hands, and the balance were required for the training of fresh drivers. Due correction has been made for these necessary allowances, and, in. addition, a careful check has been made at various points, simultaneously, so that it can be stated, with complete accuracy, that 632 motor omnibuses were plying for hire on Monday last, within the Metropolitan Police area. The same checking has enabled the density of the motor-omnibus traffic to be ascertained, on the different thoroughfares served, and the figures marked against each road indicate the number of these vehicles passing that point per hour. The number includes motorbuses going in both directions. The centre of maximum density has varied, throughout the year, between the Strand and Regent Street, and is now in the Strand, where there are 258 motor omnibuses passing per hour, or an average of 4.3 per minute. Changes of Flow.

Students of London traffic will be much interested to note the curious variations in the traffic over particular roads. One of the busiest routes in London used to be that, via Knightsbridge and Kensington, to Hammersmith, but, now, there is not sufficient traffic to support a motor-omnibus service. The "General,' the " Vanguard," and the " Ensign" companies have all tried it, and have all had to abandon it in favour of better-patronised routes. Mr. G. S. Dicks, the traffic manager of the " Vanguard " services than whom there can be no better authority on London traffic), was so astonished at the poor takings of his buses on this road, that he practically lived there for a week, and had to admit that the traffic had gone elsewhere. The causes underlying these changes cannot always be traced; sometimes a " tube" railway takes traffic from the surface of the road into the bowels of the earth, though, in other cases, it seems to draw more traffic to the surface of the same route. The Bayswater Road used to be only a " summer road," but it is now favoured by four motorbus services, all of which are well patronised.

A curious feature in, this diversion of traffic is the state of affairs on the Putney road. The L.G.O. Company has withdrawn none of its horsed omnibuses, in spite of the competition of all the " Union Jack," " Arrow," and "Vanguard " motorbuses, and it states that the horsed omnibuses have never paid so well ! The probable facts are, that the motors have drawn a great deal of extra traffic to this road, and many who come to it, in order to get a motor omnibus, either find all the motors full, or do not feel inclined to wait, and, therefore, get into a horsed bus.

The lines of last year's article will be followed in this one, and each company's operations will be considered separately, in the order in which it commenced work.

London Power Omnibus Company, Limited.

This company has confined its orders to one make, viz., the Scott-Stirling. This is a remarkably silent omnibus, with live-axle drive, and is slightly smaller and lighter than most other makes. It has given great satisfaction, and, therefore, it is to be regretted that any dispute should have arisen with the makers over late delivery, with the result that only two new Scott-Stirlings were added after November 3rd, z906. The company has found that the single-deckers cannot compete with the double-deckers, and has, therefore, disposed of some of these, retaining a few for private hire : others are on hand, for sale. The total number of doubledeckers now in commission for this company is 57 : all are painted light green, and bear the name " Pioneer" on the panel. They work three services : No. t, Cricklewood and Elephant and Castle, via Edgware Road, Marble Arch, Regent Street, Strand and Waterloo; No. 2, Pimlico and Liverpool Street, via Victoria Street, Whitehall, Strand and Bank and No. 3, Brixton and Oxford Circus, via Kennington, Westminster Bridge, and Regent Street. On Sundays, and during the holidays, the No. 2 service is not worked, but, instead, a service is maintained between Cricklewood and Victoria. This alteration was in force throughout Christmas Week, and, on December 3ist, so that some of the public thought the City service had been abandoned, though the alteration is only temporary. The company has a very fine garage at Langton Road, Cricklewood.

Thomas Tilling, Limited.

The above company has, still, a large order awaiting completion, for Milnes-Daimler chassis. It has 29 chassis of the 1905 and 1906 types, four of which are used for mail vans on the London and Brighton, and London and Tilbury services. It has, also, received, and put to work, one of the 1907 Milnes-Daimlers, and one of the old type has had a Dennis worm-drive, live axle fitted, in place of the Milnes-Daimler axle and differential. This company is, in addition, working six Straker-Squire omnibuses, and has six vehicles on order from Dennis Brothers, Limited, with worm-drive axles and Tylor engines. " Tillings " recently severed its connection with the fare-pooling associations, and it now works independently, serving three routes : Catford and Greenwich Pier ; Catford and Peckham, via Lewisham and New Cross ; and Peckham and Oxford Circus, via Walworth Road and Westminster. It has garages at Peckham and Lewisham.

Birch Brothers, Limited.

The operation of motorbuses is not the only side of the business of this company. Bodies are, also, built by it, and, therefore, it is prepared to operate or sell vehicles as is most convenient. It happens, thus, that the Leyland-Crossley chassis have been disposed of, and there are, now, to MilnesDaimlers and 3 De Dions in commission, one on the Cricklewood and Elephant and Castle line, one runs between Victoria and Finsbury Park, and Ix on the Finchley and Oxford Circus route. The garage is at North Finchley.

London General Omnibus Company, Limited.

The experiments of the London General Omnibus Company were commenced with chassis of many different makes, and, after obtaining sufficient experience to decide between the various types, the directors placed large orders for De Dion, Bussing, and Straker-Squire chassis, and, later, for those of the Wolseley-Siddeley make. The working of the odd chassis, which were ordered experimentally, was found very expensive, and, now, some have been disposed of, and others converted into lorries. The company has in commission, at present, 16 Milnes-Daimlers, 36 BUssings, 22 Straker-Squires, 8o De Dions, 8 Clarkson steamers, and one Wolseley-Siddeley. It possesses a very fine garage at Mortlake, which is used, exclusively, for De Dion and WolseleySiddeley omnibuses, serving two routes, viz., Barnes and Liverpool Street, via Victoria, and Barnes and Oxford Circus, via Shepherd's Bush. Other depots, at Acton and Caledonian Road, accommodate the Bussing and StrakerSquire omnibuses, which serve the Hammersmith and Hornsey Rise route, and a special depot, at Bromley, is used for the steam omnibuses on the Canning Town and Oxford Circus route. The other routes are all worked from the original garage at Dallis Hill, Cricklewood. This company is still receiving deliveries of Bussing chassis, and has also a number of Straker-Squire chassis, which have not, so far, been passed by the police. The trial order for Clarkson steamers was twelve, but this will, probably, be extended, and a number of Wolseley-Siddeley omnibuses will, also, be put to work early in the new year. The company is about to experhneLt with a Beaufort-Stoewer omnibus, and, if it proves successful, an order is likely to be placed.

London Road Car Company, Limited.

This company has been receiving large deliveries of Straker-Squire and Clarkson omnibuses, in addition to the Germain and Durkopp omnibuses first ordered. The Diirkopp order was for 26 chassis, but one of these was used as as a lorry for a long time, and though, now, fitted with an omnibus body, has not been put into commission. The Diirkopps are garaged at Hammersmith, and work the " S " service between flanimersinith and Charing Cross, via SI.ipherd's Bush, Bayswater Road, and Oxford Circus. The Clatkson steamers, 24 in number, have a separate garage at Fulham, and work service " K," between Hammersmith and IfPxford Circus, via Fulham Cross, Lillie Road, Brompton tilid Piccadilly. The " T " service, between Putney and Bow Bridge, is worked by one Bussing, and 47 Straker. Squires-, garaged at Putney and Walham Green, and the "H " service, between Clapham Junction and Highbury Barn, is worked by six Maudslays, and 27 Straker-Squires, which are garaged at Battersea. The Germains proved to be underpowered, and too weak in the gears, and have been definitely withdrawn from service. This company has, still, large orders out for Straker-Squire and Clarkson chassis, and has, also, placed a further order for Diirkopps : delivery of the last-named chassis is expected in 1907. A new pattern Germain chassis is, also, to be sent over for trial.

London Motor Omnibus Company, Limited.

The" Vanguard" motor omnibuses have become familiar the world over, because this company was the first to work motor omnibuses on a large scale. There are only four makes represented amongst the " Vanguards," and chassis are still being received of all four types. On December 33st, there were in commission 140 Milnes-Daimler, 20 Scheibler, 3 Thornycroft, and one De Dian motor omnibuses. This

company is working eight services, all of which are distinguished by a large numeral on the front of the driver's canopy, and on the side and back panels. Particulars of these services will be found on the key-map. The company possesses three large garages, at Albany Street, King's Cross, and Old Kent Road, and it has secured a site for a fourth, at Shepherd's Bush, but the plans have been, deliberately, delayed by the London County Council for the past four months, and, therefore, alterations have not vet been commenced.

Star Omnibus Company, Limited.

This company has only six Milnes-Daimlers, 15 Brillies, one Lacoste-Battmann, and one Leyland, and they are all working on the service from Peckham to Marylebone Sta; tion, via Walworth Road, Westminster and Baker Street. The garage is at the Elephant and Castle.

Henry Turner.

This Camberwell owner has two Milnes-Daimler, and four De Dion omnibuses, two of which are on the Cricklewood and Elephant and Castle service, and four on the Peckham and Marylebone Station service.

"New London Suburban" and "London Central."

These two companies are under the same management, and are working the " Kingsway " service, from Chalk• Farm to Waterloo Station. The former company possesses four Leyland-Crossley, two Leyland, and two Dennis omnibuses, and the latter company has three Leylands in commission. Further orders have been placed for Leyland (Lancashire Steam Motor Company, Limited) and for CritchleyNorris chassis. A renewed attempt was made, in the summer, to work some of these.omnibuses on the original route between Kingston Market and Richmond Station, but the results did not justify its continuance.

French, Limited.

This company is, still, running a single Milnes-Daimler omnibus, between Child's Hill and Pimlico, via Finchley Road and Victoria.

Associated Omnibus Company, Limited.

This company works several services in association with the " London General " and other omnibus owners. It has now in commission 12 Milnes-Daimlers, 12 De Dions, one Straker-Squire, one Leyland, and one Lacoste-Battmann. Further :Vlilnes-Daimlers and Leylands are on order. The garage is at Rochester Mews, Camden Town.

"Great Eastern London."

This company is working four services in the East End of London between Upton Park and Oxford Circus, Leyton and Oxford Circus, Lea Bridge and Elephant and Castle, and Walthamstow and Stratford. The vehicles are all Straker-Squires, 48 in number, and a further one, the last of the order, is ready to be put into service shortly. The cenwany will be placing further orders early this year.

Victoria Omnibus Company, Limited.

This company has also confined its purchases to one make, the "Orion," of which it has nine in commission, one on the Child's Hill and Pimlico service, and the others on the Crickle wood and Victoria service.

"London and District" and "London and Provincial."

These companies together work the "Arrow " service between Putney and Shoreditch. The former possesses 12 Bussing and 17 Straker-Squire omnibuses, and nine MilnesDaimlers (toos type), which were purchased from the Isle of Wight Express Motor Syndicate, Limited. An order was later placed for Lacoste-Battmann chassis, of which 14 have been put into commission, but ii bear the name of the latter company, having been transferred to them in October. A large order has been placed for ArmstrongWhitworth chassis, but none are yet in service, although a few chassis have been completed, and an Arrol-Johnston omnibus is also running on trial, bearing the name of the former company. This was not actually in service on December 31st, but was laid up for want of a suitably licensed driver. Balls, Limited.

A Lacoste-Battmann omnibus is worked between Streatham Common and Oxford Circus. A second omnibus of the same make is out of service, pending the passing of some more drivers by the Scotland Yard authorities.

Patrick Hearn.

The above gentleman was one of the first individual owners of horsed omnibuses. He works in association with the London General Omnibus Company. and other federated companies, and owns nine motorbuses, three of which are Milnes-Daimlers and six, Diirkopps. One of these runs between Finchley and Oxford Circus, one between Victoria and Finsbury Park, three between Chalk Farm and Waterloo Station, and the remaining four between Peckham and Marylebone Station.

Thomas Hearn.

This gentleman, who is a brother of Mr. Patrick Hearn, and, also, one of. the old-established horsed-omnibus proprialtors, has three Milnes-Daimler omnibuses, which are distributed over Associated routes.

Burtwell Brothers, Limited.

Messrs. • J. and W. A. Burtwell were proprietors of horsed ogettibuses, and members of the Atlas and Waterloo Omnibus Association. The company runs six Clarkson steam omnibuses, two of which are owned jointly by Burtwell Brothers, two by J. Burtwell, and two by W. A Burtwell. All of these vehicles work on the Elephant and Castle route.

"London and Westminster."

This company has taken over the rolling stock of the Rapid Road Transit Company, Limited, which started operations last February, and went into liquidation after being in operation for only a few months, it had some Ducommun omnibuses, both in London and at Hastings, during the summer and early autumn. Lacoste-Battman tannibuses were afterwards bought, and these ran between Finsbury Park and Hammersmith. At the end of November last the vehicles were withdrawn from service, but a second start was made on December 20th, this time with only the Lacostes. It is understood that the Ducommuns will not again come into service. The company is now working the five Lacoste-Battmann omnibuses, and it placed an order for 18 more of the same make at the Paris Son.

Fred. Newman.

Another of the wen-known horsed-omnibus proprietors who has adopted motors. He owns three De Dion omnibuses, which are running-on the Peckham and Marylebone Station route.

Motor Bus Company, Limited.

This company, which is on the point of amalgamating with the London Motor Omnibus Company, Limited, the London and District Bus Company, and the London and Provincial Motor Bus and Traction Company, started eperadons, in August last, with to Milnes-Daimler chassis, which it had purchased from the London Motor Omnibus Company. After this it received delivery of 15 of the Motor Omnibus Construction Company's chassis, and eight of these have been put to work. They also placed an order for De Dion omnibuses, and one of these has come into service already.

Standard Motor Omnibus Company, Limited.

This company began its road operations in August last, and It has received delivery of 25 Lacoste-Battmann chassis. The company has experienced some difficulty in getting these passed by the police, and only seven have, so far, been put to work. Five of these are running on the Finsbury Park and Hammersmith route, and two between Stamford Hill and Clapham Common.