The five were lined up at Clarence Pier for inspection by Councillors and officials and at that stage had no windscreens,
though these were soon fitted. They were painted in the Corporation's standard lake colour, with cream relief at the tops of
the seat panelling, roofs and rear panelling above waist level were black. Fleet numbers in small gold transfers were applied
each side of the bonnet. They were light-weight vehicles at no more than 1 ton 13 cwt (c1680kgs).
Bought for the Sea Front route, to the best of my knowledge they were never used on any other. Initially this ran from
Clarence Pier to a point just east of South Parade, but was later extended to the Coastguard Station at Eastney and later to
Hayling Ferry Road. In 1939 they reportedly ran right to the ferry, but I never witnessed this personally and should be
interested to have confirmation. In an era where the maximum Corporation fare was three pence, the runabouts uniquely
issued a sixpenny (pink) ticket for the whole journey and 41/2d (grey) for three stages. Initially they displayed no route
information, but in the later 1920s wooden boards were provided each side of the roof, curved to its shape and with black
lettering on white, reading CLARENCE PIER CASTLE TEAHOUSE SOUTH PARADE PIER FERRY ROAD. Later still a swivel board
was fitted to the roof front with CLARENCE PIER on one side and HAYLING FERRY ROAD VIA SOUTH PARADE PIER on the other.
In or about 1928 larger wheels with pneumatic tyres were fitted and the livery was altered to mainly white with lake relief,
the latter colour being retained for the bonnet and the roof black. They received the red colour after it was introduced in
1931 and the rear panelling above the waistline also now became white with a red centre band. At this stage the fleet
number was placed on to the rear above the small rear window using the same transfers as on the front. The city crest was
always displayed on the rear, there being no space for it on the sides.
Obviously their usage rate was not high and they were stored in the depot under shaped covers through the winter period.
The summer of 1939 with war being declared on 3 September, saw their final appearance in service. No.14 was converted for
departmental use as a ticket van, one was destroyed in the blitz and none ever carried a passenger again. So passed one of
Portsmouth's most interesting batch of buses. In more modern times, of course, double-deckers were specially converted to
open-top to enable residents and visitors to take in the delights of Southsea’s ever-active Sea Front.
New bus service in Winchester
On the 19th July 2008 Mortons Coaches of
Little London, Basingstoke commenced a new
seasonal service under the Hampshire Pullman
name. The service operates three times a day
between Winchester, Chheriton and Alresford.
Departing Winchester at 10.30, 12.30 and
14.30 on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and
Sunday until 7th September.
VDV 140S, Bristol VRT, ECW CO43/31F, new
1978 to Western National. Seen at
Alresford
Station
on a 17
minute
layover.
Barry T
10
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