Public Transport

ON THE BUSES

My Father was employed by Trent Motor Traction as a conductor in the early days, first at Nottingham then in the Mansfield Depot. This would be in the mid thirties until he was called up during WW11 when he went into The RAF. He related many of his experiences of that time that I have never forgot.

At the Nottingham Depot all drivers and conductors reported for duty at 6am and were subjected to an army type of inspection, if you failed for the slightest thing you were sent home and had to return to the afternoon shift.

COMPANY RULES

The Company published rules and expectations the drivers and conductors were expected to adhere to otherwise you were suspended without pay for minor infringements. My Father was suspended for two days —- one rule was the conductor alighted first to assist passengers on and off the bus. At The Nags Head at Kirkby my father did not comply as the bus was a Special Bus from the Newstead and Annesley Coal mines after their shift was over. His excuse and explanation was he didn’t consider it necessary to offer assistance to the miners, most of whom were big muscular men not ladies who really needed help, especially if they had been shopping or had children with them. This made no difference, the inspectors were always strict and the staff on the buses were always cautious not to break the rules

TIMETABLES

When bus services started there was really no timetables as such. However later they had to produce times of departure and arrival at their destination only as the bigger companies often forced minor competition off the road. There was a restriction that no two companies could leave until minutes after the other, there was no requirement to produce times at other villages etc on route. Many of the small companies went under or were pushed off the road, it was like a ‘Little Bus War.’ However NAYLORS who ran a service on the same Route to Alfreton from Mansfield found an answer that meant they survived. They left Mansfield at the specified time but at Portland Square in Sutton, sat and waited for the Trent Bus, they then set off at speed arriving on time at Alfreton with passengers who were loyal, and those expecting A TRENT BUS! Trent eventually took them over many, many, years later probably in the late fifties or early seventies

 

Comments about this page

  • John the Trent depot was at the bottom of Skerry hill During my early days I lived on Carter Lane and went to the school which was opposite our house. Many times during school holidays my father took me to the Garage and on many occasions I went to the Depot and rode on the buses whilst he was working and knew all the other staff based in Mansfield Depot. Trent had a policy which gave free travel to their children and a half price fare to in particular their wives who had a neat little identity card that allowed the same. I remember spending many trips to Nottingham with him and spent time at the garage sorting tickets that had been left on the buses as many people discarded unused return tickets. These were very useful especially if a Nottingham Inspector was checking on the routes, or for close friends who were virtually able to have a free trip Knowing drivers and conductors also was advantageous in my later life that is if they were Mansfield based if it was a Nottingham crew it was of course a different matter. Regarding the books you referred to I have the same there are also two others published by Venture Publications at Glossop and similar books from them that cover East Midland, Midland General, Bartons, Lincolnshire Road Car etc. You also got to know conductors on the other companies albeit very few in number who wouldn’t charge you It was also useful if your holidays were to the East coast for the family holidays to Skegness, Mablethorpe, and Great Yarmouth with Trent from Nottingham. Only your Mother had to pay half price at times, my father was free and so were my sister and myself

     

     

    By Malcolm Raynor (11/07/2012)
  • Malcolm, did your father ever say were the Mansfield depot was? Also there is a 3 volume history of Trent available which is really interesting.

    By John Allcock (19/06/2012)

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