On The (Old) Buses

[stpetre]

I've mentioned this before, I finished my Army stint (National Service) in Christmas '53, so I am assuming it was close to this date or shortly after. They had a couple of Blackpool buses all decked out in Blackpool livery on the Petre St run which went to Graves Park (whether they were used on any other route I don't know), I suppose the idea was to see if people liked or took to the more modern bus with central doors and stairs etc. I've often thought there had to have been a few accidents over the years on the old style rear open entrance with people falling off or being dragged clinging to the pole (which sounds comical now I suppose), I know I had a few near misses over the years. fleetwood

 

That reminds me of a story than an old work mate of mine told: He lived as kid in Shiregreen (if that matters) and on his way home- he lived between two stops- the bus had to turn a corner and it was more convenient for him to hop off backwards (off the backloaders) at the turn. One day his heel got caught in 2" rubber matting slot as he was about to embark and had to hop, still holding pole until the bus reached the next stop much to the google-eyed response of the waiting boarders !

[trastrick]

That reminds me of a story than an old work mate of mine told: He lived as kid in Shiregreen (if that matters) and on his way home- he lived between two stops- the bus had to turn a corner and it was more convenient for him to hop off backwards (off the backloaders) at the turn. One day his heel got caught in 2" rubber matting slot as he was about to embark and had to hop, still holding pole until the bus reached the next stop much to the google-eyed response of the waiting boarders !

 

We always faced the way the bus was going when we "dropped off" as it slowed down.

 

For some reason I had this idea that if I faced back and jumped I would match the speed and direction of the passing pavement better.

 

I was wrong and paid dearly with severe road burn for weeks!

[bracken]

Wow, Sheffield Council taking notice of the public ? That may have been the last time !

Yes ! ..but it was back in 1952 !!

[John Heeley]

As a schoolboy, I used to get buses each weekday morning from Malin Bridge to the town centre, and then on to Gleadless. Come late afternoon, there would, of course, be the return journey home. I remember those 'smoking permitted' top-decks very well indeed. Indeed, I contributed to the fog of smoke, trying as a callow youth to be 'cool' by puffing away on exotic French and American 'ciggies' procured from the specialist tobacconist shop in Surrey Street. Other, more normal, folk smoked brands like Embassy, Players, and Park Drive.

 

I also remember being really irritated by whistlers on the morning bus into town; that loathing of random whistling has never left me! Invariably, the guilty so-and-so's would be part of a small army of metal-bashing workmen who - armed with their 'snap' tins - would pile off the buses as they headed along Infirmary Road.

 

Only a half century ago, but already a lost world.

[cookingfat50]

Yer there was one conductor mainly on the 95 bus to intake think his name might have been les he was always joking and if he caught any youths having a crafty fag he would charge them full fare I used to love being on his bus

[hillsbro]

There were some real characters among the bus crews. One elderly conductor, full of old-world geniality, said "thank you, much obliged" every time he sold a ticket, and another would shout out "Grand Hotel" as his bus approached the West Bar hostel. I also remember one who, when his lower deck was getting a bit full, and elderly passengers were about to board, would shout “Seats upstairs fer them as can climb!".

[stpetre]

There were some real characters among the bus crews. One elderly conductor, full of old-world geniality, said "thank you, much obliged" every time he sold a ticket, and another would shout out "Grand Hotel" as his bus approached the West Bar hostel. I also remember one who, when his lower deck was getting a bit full, and elderly passengers were about to board, would shout “Seats upstairs fer them as can climb!".

 

Mr.H. As you have access to old bus routes. If in the 1960's-070s one wanted to go by bus from the town centre, what bus(es) went to the Wybourn ? I know one went through there on the way to Shepcote Lane area (via Darnall).

[hillsbro]

Hi stpetre - the 1954 bus guide shows the 56 which went from Pond Street to Wybourn and took a circular route from White's Lane (Manor Oaks Road - Manor Oaks Place - Boundary Road - Southend Road - Manor Oaks Road - Maltravers Terrace - Maltravers Road) and this continued into the 1970s and perhaps later.

[stpetre]

Hi stpetre - the 1954 bus guide shows the 56 which went from Pond Street to Wybourn and took a circular route from White's Lane (Manor Oaks Road - Manor Oaks Place - Boundary Road - Southend Road - Manor Oaks Road - Maltravers Terrace - Maltravers Road) and this continued into the 1970s and perhaps later.

 

Thank you Mr.H !

[Library]

Mr.H. As you have access to old bus routes. If in the 1960's-070s one wanted to go by bus from the town centre, what bus(es) went to the Wybourn ? I know one went through there on the way to Shepcote Lane area (via Darnall).

 

The Shepcote Lane bus was the 46. In the only timetable I have to hand (1964) it ran via Manor Oaks Road, Whites Lane & Cricket Inn Road.

Edited November 21, 2016 by Library