An unusual view - a photo on Flickriver

An unusual view

We're at some kind of airport - we see at least two aeroplanes in the background. And there at least five buses, including the open topper that the gentleman in the foreground is standing on. And he's holding a heavy bus stop over the side of the bus, his arms must have been aching. So what on earth is going on?

SELNEC Passenger Transport Executive took its responsibility to improve bus services very seriously, and was not hesitant to experiment - both in new buses numbered with an 'EX' prefix, and in less visible but equally important ways such as fare collection, electrical systems or the use of computers in scheduling.

The Executive's inheritance of bus stations from its constituents ranged widely from 'adequate' to 'downright dangerous' and it was decided to run an experiment on land at Woodford Aerodrome to establish the most efficient, safest design for new bus stations.

Cones and lines were laid out and bus drivers asked to drive in and out, perform conflicting movements and generally do what bus drivers do. As a result of the experiment, SELNEC decided that the 'sawtooth' design was the safest and most efficient and the information was used to help the next generation of Greater Manchester's bus stations in Whitefield, Bury, Stockport and Rochdale.

Ironically, in the twenty-first century most new bus stations around the country have now reverted to the less safe 'drive in, reverse out' layout because it's more compact and land is expensive.

And the man with the heavy bus stop flag? The event was covered by a staff photographer for the in-house newspaper 'SELNEC Express' who persuaded an inspector to hold the bus stop for a cheesy photo opportunity. Well, there are some things that don't change...

The two buses featuring are a Leyland National single decker and a Leyland Atlantean with 'Standard' Park Royal body - both of these types are represented today in teh Museum of Transport Greater Manchester. If you'd like to know more about the Museum of Transport and its collection of vintage buses, go to www.motgm.uk.

© Greater Manchester Transport Society. All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction is strictly prohibited and may result in action being taken to protect the intellectual property interests of the Society.

Taken in: UK / England / Woodford (show map)

Taken on: January 1, 1974

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Museum

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www.gmts.co.uk

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Sets appears in: • Selnec/GMT/GM Buses

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