Swansea Motor Omnibus Co
1899 New company announcement.[1]
1899 March. 'The Swansea Motor Omnibus Company, Ltd., which has been formed for the purpose of providing increased facilities for the public residing beyond or on the outskirts of the borough of Swansea, has just put on two very fine motor omnibuses, and this will before Easter be followed by more. The cars ate of the well-known Daimler construction, and the power is obtained from petrol, a special deodorised spirit distilled particularly for motor cars. Each car is fitted with two brakes,either of which is sufficient to stop the car in a very short space. The twin-cylinder motor is kept running at a uniform rate at all times, four changes of gear giving the necessary variations in power for any load or gradient. All the cars are being supplied to the company under the personal direction of Mr W. M. Morris (Pontypridd), and are fitted with all the latest improvements necessary to ensure public safety and to make their service a success. One important feature in the present cars is that they are geared so low as to give ample power for any hill work with a full load, and they are so constructed that it is almost an impossibility for the drivers to make the cars go faster than is at present allowed by the Act. In a trial trip last week the long hill of 1 in 8 at Sketty was successfully negotiated with a fall load on. Mr W. M. Morris, of Pontypridd (the consulting engineer of the company), has closely followed the motor car industry from its commencement, and was the first practical driver of a motor carriage in South Wales. New cars will be put on the various routes as rapidly as delivery can be obtained. Another new one will be ready and delivered before Easter, after which Saturday to Monday trips may be arranged to all parts of South Wales. Arrangements have been made for obtaining the necessary licences to ply on Thursday, after which they will commence a half hour service between Mount-street, Swansea, and the Cross, Sketty, and Brynmill, stopping at a point near the Cricketers' Hotel. A trial trip was made on Tuesday afternoon, and it was a great success, and a run was made from the depot to the Mumbles. Here a break was made at the Ship and Castle Hotel, where Mrs Henson, the manageress, supplied an excellent tea. Then on the way back a diversion was made up Sketty- lane with a view of testing the machines uphill, and down through Sketty and Walter-road. The machines worked admirably with a minimum of vibration and the greatest ease and comfort. All who were privileged to join in the trip were of the one opinion that a very prosperous time must be in store for a company which is able and willing to put on such well-equipped cars. It is hoped before Easter to be able to put on more cars, and to run to the Mumbles, to Morriston, and St. Thomas.'[2]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ The Autocar 1899/01/28
- ↑ South Wales Daily News - Wednesday 08 March 1899