On this day in Yorkshire 1941

One of the most Important problems of public transport, he said, was a shortage of drivers. Many had gone into the Armed Forces, and many others were now driving lorries.

Something would have to be done to prevent more drivers leaving public transport, and many volunteers, especially women, were wanted for this work.

In fact, he added, it was almost essential that more women should offer their services as drivers of single decker buses. In doing so, they would be making a great contribution the war effort.

Staggered Hours for Bus Travel

Because of difficulties the sorting out of war workers from ordinary passengers in queues, it is likely that an extensive reform in public transport services will be made in the direction of staggered hours of travel.

A Leeds official of the Ministry Transport told me yesterday that operators of bus services have found it difficult to decide on questions of priority. The scheme had had a fair measure of success in many cases, and credit was due to the efforts of the employees of the bus companies concerned, but there were many people beside the munition worker who should have priority of travel.

“For example. I doubt if I should get a priority button.” he said, “but often it is imperative for me to travel.”

Extra holiday travel put a heavy tax on road transport, but the position was now beginning to ease, and the main cause of congestion on buses was the travelling, during peak hours, of shoppers and pleasure-seekers.

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