Bus History in 250 Words

Supplementing some trolleybuses, turn of the century carrier carts gave way to motor omnibuses. After the ready supply of labour & vehicles following World War 1, motor bus services mushroomed and networks matured, with the rise of territorial operators. Intense competition spawned route, vehicle, driver and conductor licensing. Established operators exchanged rivalry for stability, growing by acquisition, while non-municipals coalesced into groupings. World War 2 cut fuel, networks and vehicle supply. The short post war travel boom peaked in 1953, after which decline set in. Meanwhile, part of the industry was nationalised in 1947. In spite of declining passengers, operators used cross-subsidy and increasing one-person operation in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, plus above-inflation fares rises later. BET group sold to nationalised THC before both passed to the National Bus Company in 1969, along with the formation of the first PTEs. Grants became available first for rural services then entire networks. Nevertheless, many networks saw significant cuts in the 1970s, as fares rose steeply. MAP then tried unsuccessfully to break the cycle of cuts, fares rises and passenger decline. Deregulation and privatisation aimed to inject competition, cut fares & subsidy, and grow passengers. PTE operations were split and sold, while London replaced direct operations with franchising. Many arms-length municipals sold or closed. From the mid 1990s, provincial bus services became increasingly dominated by five large groupings, thereby tending to end instability. Partnerships became the watchword for growth, with some spectacular results, while elsewhere the slow decline continued.

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