A Devon General bus - The Strand, Torquay bus stop - c. 1950
The main transportation of my youth was the red double decker.
I rode it to and from primary (elementary) school, into town,
to other towns to visit family, even to the beach!
We never owned a car which meant my parents rode
the bus to work, and just about everywhere else.
The big red bus was the usual way people got around
in the United Kingdom in the 1940's and 1950's.
In cities such as London, many still do commute via bus, and of course
tourists often ride the 'sightseeing buses'.
In my hometown, Torquay, regular buses still run everywhere,
though less frequently, and the open-top sight-seeing versions are
popular in summertime for runs between the beaches of the coastal
towns around the bay.
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A double-decker bus is a bus that has two storeys or decks.
Double-decker buses are used for mass transport in the United Kingdom,
Europe, Asia and many former European possessions, the most iconic example
being the red London bus.
Early double-deckers put the driver in a separate cab. Passenger access was via an open platform at the rear, and a bus conductor would collect fares.
Modern double-deckers have a main entrance door at the front, and the driver takes fares, thus halving the number of bus workers aboard, but slowing the boarding process. The rear open platform, popular with passengers, was abandoned for safety reasons, as there was a risk of passengers falling when running and jumping onto the bus.
Double-deckers are primarily for commuter transport but open-top models are used as sight-seeing buses for tourists. William Gladstone, speaking of London's double-deck horse drawn omnibuses, once observed that "...the best way to see London is from the top of a bus". via WIKIPEDIA
Off tomorrow, but not on a bus.
Neighbor kindly driving us to the airport.
Two planes taking us north to New England.
Rental car will be waiting.
How times have changed!
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Me too! We went everywhere on buses, with proper paper tickets that the conductor clipped!
ReplyDeleteHave a good time away.
I hope you have an enjoyable trip to New England. We just returned from a road trip there. We traveled through smaller towns in New York state, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. I enjoyed seeing so many old Greek Revival houses. of which New York might have had the most. So many where well taken care of with pride. Woodstock, VT was a picture perfect town. Mt. Washington, NH is a view not to be missed, as is Cadillac Mountain in Acadia Nation Park, ME. I even got to stop in Sharon Springs, NY to do a little shopping in the Beekman 1802 store.The owners were not there, but had been two days prior. They have revived the town with hard work and a vision. The town has an interesting history of natural springs and old spas for NYC dwellers escaping summer heat. I have decided that I need to keep a journal when traveling to remember all the wonderful spots and others nearby. Enjoy your trip.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I remember them well. Our school bus was a double decker. The boys all went upstairs and the girls downstairs!
ReplyDeleteWell I rode a lot of school buses of the yellow variety back in the day. Somehow being in a red, double-decker bus would be preferable. I hope that you have a wonderful visit to New England.
ReplyDeleteWhat wonderful memories Mary.
ReplyDeleteWe loved the red double deckers in London!
Now we have a fleet of them in Auckland too!