Public transport on the roads in the early 1900s

When I was a child in London in the early 1900s, almost all commercial deliveries were by horse and cart, but passengers could travel on the roads by horse-drawn tram, motorised tram, trolley bus or bus.

Trams ran on rails / tracks set into the road. Consequently they were not at all manoeuvrable: The driver couldn't steer them and other road users had to keep a constant look-out to get out of their way. Trams were particularly hazardous for cyclists because their wheels could easily get caught in the channels on either side of the rails unless the cyclists made a point of riding across them rather than along them. Fortunately, as it was expensive to lay the tracks, trams ran on relatively few routes.

My Aunt Em worked on the trams and she often let us children have a free ride.

Trolley buses were somewhat more manoeuvrable, but they did have to make contact with overhead cables for their power.

Buses, trams and trolley buses had open tops, and it was fun to sit on the top deck to see the scenery as it passed by. It could be cold though, particularly in a strong wind. Fortunately there were waterproof covers for passengers on the top deck for use in the rain. They were attached to the seat in front and could be unhitched to go across our knees.

Covered top buses, trams and trolley buses came into service sometime during the 1920s.

 

This website Join me in the 1900s is also known as Join me in the 1900's and is © Pat Cryer.