London Country (Ian Allan)
On 1 January 1970 there was a seismic shift in the provision of public transport in and around Greater London. The green — Country Area —buses and services that had formed part of London Transport were hived off to form a new subsidiary of the newly created National Bus Company. Comprising both the Green Line express services, which ensured a presence in central London, plus the myriad bus services that comprised County Area operations outside the metropolis. the newly established London Country Bus Services had a complex birth. Early vehicle shortages caused the company to have a difficult initial period of operation while it also had to come to terms with the County Councils and the new powers they had been given. As time progressed, however. London Country became well established, providing services in many of the most important towns and cities in south eastern England as well as numerous rural communities. As with other NBC operators, however, the reality of deregulation and privatisation in the 1980s resulted in the company being split into smaller operational units which were ultimately sold off. Yet despite its short life. London Country proved itself as an innovative and successful operator. In London Country, noted transport expert and author John Glover, whose professional career in the transport industry saw him work in conjunction with London Country, provides a detailed analysis of the operator. Covering the history of the company from its creation through to its dismemberment in the mid-1980s. the author provides the reader with a comprehensive account of the operator's strengths and weaknesses during these years. In particular, he examines how the company evolved, through schemes such as MAP, its operational strategy at a time when public transport was perceived to be in decline, and the seeking out of new sources of business. The book also includes some 120 photographs that recall both the vehicles and routes operated by London Country during these years. London Country is the first detailed account of the history and operations of London Country to be published. In it John Glover provides the reader — both professional and enthusiast —with a remarkable account of one of the most important regional bus operators of the 1970s and 1980s.
Hardback with dust jacket, 18x24cm, 160 pages, black & white and colour photographs, maps in end papers
Condition: Good/Very Good
ISBN: 9780711031210
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