Goodwill Bus Mission to U.S.A.
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ANimportant part of the "Come to Britain" campaign of the British Travel and Holidays Association is a goodwill mission to U.S.A. by three London Transport double-deck buses. They arc accompanied by a Leyland Comet mobile servicing unit carrying spares, including two engines, as well as by a Ford Thames 10-cwt. generator truck and an Austin car which leads the convoy.
The leader is Mr. Alistair McLean, of the Association. Other personnel are Mr. E. T. Bonney, London Transport inspector of rolling stock (road services), a foreman, drivers, conductors, electricians and mechanics.
One bus, equipped as an exhibition and information bureau, is internally decorated with attractive paintings and perspective views of the diorama type. The second bus is a normal model and the third a crew-bus and mobile workshop. Two British girls from the Association's New York centre will answer travel inquiries.
This goodwill mission will travel some 8,000 miles through 27 states. It received an official send-off last Friday by the Secretary for Overseas Trade and will sail tomorrow, returning to Liverpool on June 19. Departments of the United States Government have rendered every possible assistance and the National Highways Safety Committee has advised on road conditions, height clearance, etc.
During 1951, North American visitors contributed approximately S100m. to this country and the new campaign should improve this figure in I952—it is hoped by a considerable amount.