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Delivery has commenced of the 1974 order for 25 each of Leyland Panthers and Hino RC520P.^(A) There are minor differences between these and previous deliveries. Along the offside, normally near the centre, there is a fixed, non-opening window. This is to accommodate new regulations requiring more emergency exits. This fixed window is fitted on a "push in" basis similar to the rear window. Other differences are a raised dash panel on the Panthers, and the nearside mirror fitted in the new standard position.

For the last few months, all buses fitted with curved windscreens have been having the nearside mirror altered so that it is viewed through the corner of the windscreen itself instead of through the door. This provides an uninterrupted view of the mirror where previously the door frequently obsucred it.

Another modification taking place is the fitting of demisters to all buses not so equipped. This affects all buses from the Tiger Cubs and older. All buses are gradually having the speedometers calibrated in kilometres per hour.

Redcliffe Depot has lost 21 Hinos in exchange for Leyland Leopards and AEC Regal VI from Trigg and Morley.

A new fare system has been introduced, details of which appear [below].

975/7      

Leyland Panther PSUR1/1R(B)   

Howard Porter

B41D   

6/74

976/8      

   "       "        "      

      "      

  "    

7/74

979-81/3   

   "       "        "      

      "      

  "    

8/74

982/4      

   "       "        "      

      "      

  "    

9/74

62         

Hino    RC520P             

FreighterWA

  "    

6/74

63-5       

  "        "               

      "      

  "    

7/74

66         

  "        "               

      "      

  "    

8/74

67         

  "        "               

      "      

  "    

9/74

975 

7202288   

977 

7202290   

979 

7202287   

981 

7202291   

983 

7202286   

976 

7203221   

978 

7202285   

980 

7202292   

982 

7202289   

984 

7202604(C)

62  

40108     

64  

40111     

66  

40107     

63  

40109     

65  

40110     

67  

40114     

975 

74/9001  

 4/74

979 

74/9005

   6/74

983 

74/9009

   7/74

976 

74/9002  

 5/74

980 

74/9006

   6/74

984 

74/9010

   7/74

977 

74/9003  

 5/74

981 

74/9008

   7/74

978 

74/9004  

 5/74

982 

74/9007

   6/74

62  

A5104    

 5/74

64  

A5108  

   6/74

66  

A5111  

28/6/74

63  

A5105    

 6/74

65  

A5110  

26/6/74

67  

(D)

(E)

513-7   

Trigg to Redcliffe  

883-6   

Redcliffe to Trigg 

640-3   

Morley to Redcliffe 

887-95  

Redcliffe to Morley

791-5   

Morley to Redcliffe 

942-9   

Redcliffe to Trigg 

796-803 

Trigg to Redcliffe  

62-7    

To Morley           

975-84  

To Causeway        

2 

Redcliffe  

 8/74

439

Causeway 

   9/74

443

Causeway

   8/74

355         

Guy Arab   

Bolton 

7/74(F)

314/5/33/58 

Guy Arab   

Bolton 

8/74

355         

Guy Arab   

Bolton 

to WAGR 8/74

Members may be interested to know some details of the ex London Transport bus that the WATM will shortly be operating through the lion park at Wanneroo. Its LT number was RTL547. It is a Leyland 7RT model, a chassis produced only for LT featuring a Leyland 9.8 litre engine, and a preselector gearbox. It carries a Weyman H30/26R body which was fitted when the bus was last overhauled in November 1965. It has Leyland chassis no 501732, and entered service originally in June 1950. Its external measurements are 26ft long, by 7ft 6in wide, by 14ft 3½in high. It is one of the 1631 RTL type vehicles which, with the RT and RTW types, numbered almost 7000 standard buses in London.

In its last operational days in London, RTL547 ran from the east London garage of Poplar. This garage operated the routes through the tunnels under the River Thames. As the tunnels were narrow, the buses were fitted with special tyres with reinforced walls to withstand the constant rubbing against the kerb in the tunnel. RTL547 still retains this feature.

The destination blinds now fitted are for LT route 11. This display is chosen for all LT buses abroad as it includes many of the London place names familiar to people overseas.

RTL547 was brought to Perth in 1967 for a vintage car museum. As the bus was damaged in transit, it was never displayed at the museum. Instead, it was donated to the WA Museum who passed it on to the WATM.

(A)
Letter(s) describing the type of vehicle, followed by:
(B)
Number(s) to indicate the number of seats
(double deckers are given upper deck capacity/lower deck), followed by:
(C)
Letter(s) to indicate the entrance position(s) and other features.


(A)
          
  H = Highbridge double decker
  
F = Indicates full front on
    type of vehicle that would
    normally be half cab
   
          
  B = Single deck bus

   
          
  C = Single deck coach

   
  R = Raised deck style (deck and a half)

(B)
Number of seats
(C)
          
  F = Front entrance
  
V = Van compartment at rear of
    bus reducing seating
    capacity
   
  C = Centre entrance

   
  R = Rear entrance

   
  D = Dual (ie front & centre) entrance
  
T = Toilet equipped

Correspondence in the July and August editions of Rattler spurred me to write what I can remember about Scarborough semis. As this is written from memory, it may be inaccurate in parts. Hopefully any errors may encourage others to write in with corrections. In this way, a more complete picture of the Fodens and Whites operated by Scarborough Bus Service may be built up and recorded for posterity.

The first Scarborough Bus Service semi came on to the road painted battleship grey, unnumbered, and fitted with longitudinal garden seats. It was used so much that months elapsed before it could be spared for finishing in Scarborough`s colours. It eventually appeared as No 19 and was named "Monarch".

By this time, No 18 was already on the road, having been named "Mammoth". This was followed by No 3 "Magnus" and No 4 which name I cannot recall.^(B) All these four trailers were drawn by White powered tractors. Two more semis were added to the fleet. These were No 8 "Magnificent" and No 10 which I believe was named "Masterdon".^(C) These two buses were Foden powered diesel engines. They proved so economical on fuel that two additional Foden engines were procured and were used to replace the White petrol motors in Nos 18 and 19.^(D) Thus, now there were four Foden powered tractors for all day work and the two White petrols remaining were used during peak hours.^(E)

When a WAGR Foden powered semi crashed into a creek on the Bunbury road, the tractor unit was bought by SBS.^(F) Thus the fleet now had six trailers and seven tractors, the ex WAGR one being a spare for all the others. This may explain the correspondent in the July Rattler seeing No 4 being hauled by a Foden. Jim Bond, however, in the August Rattler is correct in stating that No 4 was basically a White.^(G)

However, the extra tractor was not spare for long. One evening, two of the semis collided almost head-on causing severe damage.^(H) One of the trailers was burnt out and two tractors were immobilised. From memory, one White and one Foden were involved. As a result of this, some swapping of tractors and trailers occurred. I believe No 4 trailer went to No 3 tractor, the complete unit being numbered 3 and named "Magnus". Thus the names were as follows, if I am correct. Can anybody confirm these please?

3}  
Magnus (I don't know No 4`s original name)(B)
    
10  
Masterdon(C)
4}  
    
18  
Mammoth
8
Magnificent
    
19  
Monarch

On 4 August [1974] the MTT introduced a new, radical, simplified fare structure, based on a flat fare principle. Also from this date, bus and suburban railway tickets became interchangeable.

Within 30km of the Perth GPO, there is a flat fare of 30¢ for a journey of two sections or more. Passengers buying a 30¢ ticket can change at will between bus, train and ferry, provided the last change is made within two hours of the time shown on the ticket. Ticket machines used are TIM^(A) on which the time is altered every 15 minutes.^(B)

Travel beyond the first 30km zone adds an extra 15¢ for each new zone traversed. An exception to that rule is that travel from zone 2 to certain specified points within zone 1^(C) a 30¢ fare still applies. Travel within any one zone for over two sections costs the 30¢ flat fare.

To travel for one section, in any zone, the fare is 15¢. This ticket is for the one journey only, and is not available for transfer.

Children`s fares are half the adult to the nearest lower 5¢. Pensioners continue to travel for free.

Periodical tickets cost $12 for four weeks unlimited travel within a zone, with special rates for inter zone travel.

In practice, most journeys are made within zone 1, so the fare system is greatly simplified over the old method.

In the Federal Budget announced in September, almost $3.75 million have been allocated to WA for urban transport. The money will be used to purchase 65 Mercedes-Benz buses which have been ordered.

New transfer terminals will be built similar to those at Morley and Karrinyup. The new terminals will be at Innaloo, Rockingham and Kwinana. A new bus depot will be built at Gosnells to cater for the additional traffic caused by the new expanding suburbs in that area.

Money has been allocated for the investigation of further facilities for giving priority to buses over other traffic, and for the first stage of the bus only lane on the Mitchell Freeway, or the "Mitchell Busway" as this project has become known.

On the non bus side of the MTT, money has been allocated for rebuilding Barrack Street jetty and the facilities for the ferry to South Perth.

The Eastern Goldfields Transport Board is the name of the undertaking that operates bus services in the adjacent former gold mining towns of Kalgoorlie and Boulder.

These towns are fascinating for their historic architecture. Many grandiose buildings, constructed during the gold rush, still stand. Boulder particularly gives the impression that one could be stepping into the past, hitching one`s Holden to the rails outside the hotels in the wide streets. Regrettably, some of the premises in Boulder are rather dirty and in a state of decay; but perhaps this in itself adds to the town`s atmosphere. Certainly the 1948 AEC Regal III buses operating there do not detract from the "olde worlde" image.

VEHICLES:
The EGTB bus fleet consists mainly of modern Albion Vikings and Clydesdales augmented by six AEC Regal III and a former Melbourne Tramways Leyland Tiger OPS4 from the MTT in Perth. The MTT buses were purchased in 1972 because of a shortage of vehicles caused mainly by increased school runs.

DEPOT:
Buses are operated from the former tram depot on the Kalgoorlie/Boulder boundary in Boulder Rd. The carbarn is shortly to be renovated, whilst a new administrative building will replace the elderly construction now being used.

LIVERY:
The livery uses light blue lower panels, with cream above the waist rail. The Board`s title, in full, appears in block capitals just below the window line.

ROUTES:
Several town services are operated; the main one being Boulder-Kalgoorlie-Lamington. As the ratio of car:population in this area is one of Australia`s highest at 1:3, not surprisingly patronage on regular bus services is declining, as it is in most cities. However, overall patronage is on the increase as more school journeys and mining contracts are operated. Each year a greater number of charter operations are performed. In fact, such is the demand for charter vehicles in the Kalgoorlie area that the EGTB is considering the purchase of a fully equipped coach with all luxury facilities.

The EGTB also runs an express service from Kalgoorlie to Kambalda, some 52kms to the south east. Kambalda contrasts severely with Boulder as it is a recently constructed mining town. Pleasantly laid out, the streets have good lighting, telegraph poles are concealed, and the thoughtful arrangement of houses and shops makes Kambalda a pleasing modern town. Usually Albions 5 and 7 alternate on the Kambalda duty, which leaves mid morning, arriving at Kalgoorlie during the afternoon. School and mining runs are also operated in Kambalda.

Runs from the Eastern Goldfields High School in Kalgoorlie spread as far as Kambalda and Coolgardie, the newer buses being used for these duties.

Recent vehicles owned by the EGTB and their disposals, and a complete current fleet list, will be given next month.

OTHER OPERATORS
GOLDRUSH COUNTRY TOURS
This company operates several day and half day tours to local tourist mines and to Kambalda using a Toyota minibus

MINING BUSES:
Running in the area are many privately owned buses operated for staff transport by the various mining companies. The standard livery seems to be yellow with a white roof, whilst vehicles are varying models of International with HowardPorter bodies. The Anaconda Nickel Mine uses the name Redross Road Runner on its vehicles, which are new rear-engined Internationals with reclining seats and jet air-conditioning. Other mines operate more utilitarian buses but all run high mileages covering perhaps 60km every eight hours for the change of shifts in the mines.

Vehicles noted will be listed next month.

GHOST TOWN SAFARI:
This company operates, not surprisingly, from Coolgardie, a town which is only a fraction of the size it was during the gold rush days. The coach used is a very unusual four-wheel-drive Jeep chassis, with a toilet-equipped FreighterWA body with reclining seats and air-conditioning.

IMPRESSION:
The Eastern Goldfields are a fascinating area, and are apart of Australia`s history. For the transport enthusiast, there is much to delight [in]. The days of the EGTB half-cab buses are numbered, so I would exhort the connoisseurs to visit the areas as soon as possible.

The new drivers` uniforms of green and yellow are now being issued on a depot basis. Claremont was first, followed by Armadale and Rockingham. The other depots will be dealt with in turn.

From Sunday 29 September all bus stands along St Georges Terrace were numbered to assist passengers to locate their stops. Even numbered stands are for westbound buses, while odd numbers are for buses to the east. Each route, or group of routes, has its own stand number, repeated wherever that route stops in St Georges Terrace. Thus Fremantle buses via Stirling Highway use number 38 stand outside Government House, at Howard Street, and at the Technical College. Buses to Fremantle via Canning Highway always use stand 31 in the opposite direction. In addition to helping passengers, the numbered stands will assist drivers to identify where they should stop their bus.

The first of the 65 Mercedes-Benz O305 chassis on order arrived at Causeway Depot on 18 September. The chassis includes cross support members for the body, and also the front built up to just below the windscreen. The chassis numbered 30700121001640^(A) [is] now believed to be in Kensington Street Workshops.

A complete Mercedes O305 from Auckland was in Sydney during September. It was rumoured to be coming to Perth, but has not yet appeared.^(B)

Leyland Tiger Cubs commencing at have commenced their second cycle of complete overhaul at the workshops.

985/6      

Leyland Panther PSUR1/1R(C)   

Howard Porter

B41D   

 9/74

68/70/1/3  

Hino    RC520P             

FreighterWA

  "    

 9/74

69         

  "        "               

      "      

  "    

10/74

985 

7202605   

986 

7202606   

68  

40116     

69  

40112     

70  

40121     

71  

40113     

985 

74/9011  

 8/74

986 

74/9012

   8/74

67  

A5113    

 7/74

69  

A5116  

   8/74

71  

A5118  

22/8/74

68  

A5115    

 7/74

70  

A5117  

   8/74

960/1

Causeway to Trigg  

985/6      

Causeway           

68/70/1/3  

Morley             

69         

Causeway           

7   

Redcliffe  

  9/74

289 

Trigg      

  9/74

534 

Causeway

  9/74

51  

Fremantle  

  9/74

502 

Morley      

  9/74

149           

AEC Regal III   

Campbell & Mannix 

9/74

313/34/46/8/56  

Guy Arab   

Bolton 

9/74(D)

333 

Guy Arab/Bolton 

to WAGR

334 
 

Guy Arab/Bolton 
 

to Police & Citizens Youth Club, Bunbury
   Reregistered XGB278 9/74

346 

Guy Arab/Bolton 

to ? Reregistered XGT719 10/74(E)

Discussions have been held between WATM and the Veteran Car Club about using a site at Forrestfield. The VCC has leased the land from the Kalamunda Shire and feels it would be mutually beneficial to have an operating museum run by both groups, thus having a wider public appeal.

The site is fenced and has toilet facilities, but will need a resident caretaker before any equipment can be safely left there. It is hoped that, in the long term, the WATM can run trams, trolley buses and buses on the site, perhaps through a mock village of the appropriate period.

Further negotiations are taking place between the two groups.

In addition to the trams and miniature railway, RTL547 was operated for the first time by the WATM. It proved very popular and ran continuously from 1100 to 1730 hours, carrying approximately 1000 passengers during this period.

Thanks go to the many WATM members and friends who helped make this day a success.

The Mercedes O305 chassis, mentioned last month, is now being used for familiarisation of mechanics. Several chassis have already arrived and the remained will follow at short intervals. Mr G A Shea has recently released more details of these buses:

Bodywork will be of integral construction made of high tensile steel. Mercedes expertise will be used in the initial stages of construction. The interior will set new standards of passenger comfort. There will be forced air ventilation for use in hot weather and the heater/demister can be directed to the passenger area if required in winter. Each bus will be fitted with large roof hatches. The now standard MTT 41 forward facing seat layout is incorporated, and floor or roof staunchions are to be fitted at every alternate seat. Apart from the standard Mercedes double curvature windscreens and front panelling, the body exterior will not vary much from that on the latest Panthers.

The engine fitted will be the latest Mercedes OM407 six cylinder 180bhp diesel with a low smoke rating. This means that the exhaust emission will be about a third of the level recommended for Australia. The buses will be equipped with a special silent pack which will have the effect of reducing the external noise level to about half that on present rear engined bused. An even greater reduction of noise will be noticeable inside.

The transmission incorporates a fully automatic three speed gearbox which has a "hold" on all three speeds and safety devices to stop wrong gear selection at excessive engine speeds. There will be a spring operated parking brake and a driver operated exhaust brake to supplement the foot brake.

These buses should come into service early in 1975.

Work has now started on the construction of an exclusive busway from the Central Bus Station, across the City railway line, to Fitzgerald Street. This facility will save buses from the north western suburbs up to ten minutes running time at peak hours.

Leyland Tiger Cubs are having the lower of the side blind boxes removed and a larger window fitted in its place. 656 was the first bus noted so modified, now having only a number blind on the nearside.

Tiger Cub 726^(A) and Panther 976 have been fitted experimentally with equipment for a two way radio system.

As recorded last month Hino 69 is allocated to Causeway. It is fitted with individual forced air ventilation and PA speakers, as will be the Mercedes.

After Friday 15 November, conductors will be taken off the East Victoria Park to Subiaco group of routes. This leaves only the Perth to Fremantle routes still two man operated.

Route changes
A new route, with one journey each way on Mondays to Fridays, runs from the Perth Central Bus Station to the State Government offices in Havelock Street near Kings Park Road. The morning journey is operated by a red City Clipper (931 or 970) with the "Free Travel" boards removed as a fare for one section is charged. The return trip in the evening is operated by any bus and shows route number 12.

987/8/90  

UQB987/8/90  

Leyland Panther PSUR1/1R(B)  

Howard Porter  

B41D  

10/74

72/4/5  

UQB072/4/5  

Hino RC520P  

FreighterWA  

B41D  

10/74

987 

7202607

988 

7202608(C)

990 

7202610

72 

40115

73 

40117

74 

40118

75

40119

987 

74/9013

     8/74

988 

74/9014

     8/74

990 

74/9016

     9/74

72  

A5119

  27/8/74

74  

A5121

  30/8/74

75  

A5122

  31/8/74

73  

A5120

  30/8/74

72/4/5 to Morley                    987/8/90 to Causeway

6 Redcliffe        33 Causeway        533 Causeway

312/41/53    Guy Arab   Bolton
341 has been used at Claremont Mental Asylum since 2/74.(D)

A recently published report of a study into the possibility of an underground electric railway in Perth has recommended that the suburban railway system be abolished and converted into busways.

The study compared various different possible systems:

• to electrify the existing railway network;
• to electrify the railway and to sink it one metre;
• to convert the railway to surface busways;
• to convert the railway to busways and sink it one metre.

On a cost-benefit basis, the conversion to busways sunk one metre, or more, came out as the most preferable. It was said that if the busways were sunk, buildings could be constructed over them and the city block expanded north beyond the existing railway.

It was estimated that 200 additional buses would be required to run the former rail services. The major advantages of busways were cheaper capital and operating costs, maximum time saving for passengers, by the maximum diversion of buses from congested streets, and the flexibility of service.

It remains to be seen, of course, whether the report is acted upon. If it were, it would make Perth`s transport system one of the most revolutionary in the world as no other city has gone as far as replacing a suburban railway system with buses using the same routes. It would also increase the MTT bus fleet to over the 1000 mark. Time will tell.

On 8 December, the Fremantle section of The West Australian newspaper published a full page article about former Fremantle tram 29, which the WATM now has. It was 22 years previously that the tramway system in Fremantle closed. The article was repeated in the southern section of the same newspaper on Wednesday 11 December.

Tram 29, currently at Castledare, has been completely repainted by Ron Kelly, and it is now in the process of being re-equipped. As a result of the newspaper publicity, several tram seats have been donated to the WATM.

Trolley bus 84, which was recently moved to Ric Francis` house, has had one undercoat applied to it. One more will be applied before it is repainted into Perth Tramways colours.

Berger Paints have donated 14 gallons of paint to the Society. The paint was specially mixed to reproduce exactly the former Perth Tramways livery. Berger are also making up an 8ft by 2ft advertisement sign of the appropriate period which will be fixed to trolley bus 84.

Mr J A Davis, the Assistant Manager of Forwood Down, of Welshpool, has donated to the WATM ten crane controllers, which can be adapted for use in trams. The Society is very grateful for this donation, and for the donation of paint by Berger Paints.

The Tramway Committee has acquired some power generators and hopes to have a power test on a tram within three months. This means that the tram would then be able to run.

Tram Note
Number 28, the last tram to be sold from the Fremantle system on 05.03.1953 has been reported as being in use as a home in the Bedfordale-Jarrahdale area.

Tram Details
Starting next month, we will gradually publish all details of the trams, trolley buses, and buses owned by the WATM.

There was a reorganisation of services in the Brentwood-Bull Creek area when Booragoon Shopping Centre started being used as a transfer terminal. From Sunday 8 December several routes were withdrawn and altered, and new routes introduced. Details are outlined below.

Mr G A Shea announced that fareboxes will be introduced on MTT buses. Prior to their introduction, publicity will be given encouraging passengers to tender the correct fare. The money will be placed by the passenger into a slot in the top of the farebox for the driver to check. He will then issue the ticket, as now, and allow the money to drop into the farebox. Each bus will, in effect, carry the money in a safe, which will be emptied at night when the bus returns to the depot. Drivers will not handle money at all. The fareboxes are built in Perth by the MTT in conjunction with a manufacturing company.

The two AEC Reliances at Morley, 498/9, have been withdrawn from service, thus ending another type of vehicle for the MTT.

The MTT have recently placed advertisements on commercial radio to help publicise the fare scheme now in use.

Route alterations in connection with Booragoon Transfer Terminal

105	Rerouted via Booragoon Garden City. Still runs Perth to Fremantle.
108	Rerouted slightly. Still operates Bateman to Booragoon, but as feeder to transfer terminal.
110	Rerouted from Bateman to run to Bull Creek. Now operates Perth to Bull Creek.
151	Perth to Fremantle as before but with Ardross deviation withdrawn.
160	New route Perth to Booragoon to supplement 105 at peak hours.
167	New route Bull Creek to Booragoon. Feeder service to transfer terminal.
168	New route Bull Creek to Booragoon via Bateman. Feeder service combining amended 108 and new 167.

109, 155 and 195 routes all withdrawn.

989/91-4    UQB989/91-4    Leyland Panther PSUR1/1R(B)    Howard Porter    B41D    11/74

76-9        UQB76-9        Hino RC520P                 FreighterWA      B41D    11/74

989  7202609     991  7202611     992  7203111     993  7203112     994  7203113

76   40124       77   40120       78   40125

989  74/9015     8/74     992  74/9018     9/74     994  74/9020    10/74

991  74/9016     9/74     993  74/9019     9/74

76   A5123    1/10/74     77   A5124    1/10/74     78   A5125    1/10/74

989/91-4  to Causeway.     77-9  to Morley.     520/1/46  Causeway to Fremantle

8   Redcliffe         404  Causeway          655  Causeway

19  Causeway          535  Causeway          658  Causeway

399 Causeway          543  Claremont

271              Leyland OPS4/1      Comeng

316/25/37/47     Guy Arab            Bolton

498/9            AEC Reliance        Bolton

271  Being converted to towing lorry

325  WATM

333  WAGR G120 UQQ633

348  Divine Light Mission XGW3059

353  Dept of Mental Health(C)

498  Lance Holt School XHD103

Friday 29 November was the first time one of the latest 12 metre MC7 coaches was observed in Perth. Coach 802 in fact made several journeys on the Adelaide to Perth express service, which is normally operated by the earlier GM PD4106 vehicles.

The MC7 coaches numbered 801-10 were placed into service between 10/72 and 5/73. Built by Motor Coach Industries in Winnipeg, these vehicles have a three axle configuration and are powered by a rear mounted GM 8v71 motor. Externally very impressive, the MC7 is excellently equipped for express operation with 44 reclining seats, air conditioning, toilet, and many other features.

It is quite a sight seeing one of these huge coaches maneuvering into the narrow entrance of the Ansett terminal in St Georges Tce.