Tauranga-Mount Maunganui Buses Ltd. No. 49 in 1983

The Midland bodied Ford R1114 (JK2081) which was new in 1979, was looking very smart in January 1983 when captured by the camera of Clive Otway, scanned from the Omnibus Bulletin of November 1998.

 

The Ford R1114 is a 11m front engined bus/coach chassis with 140hp, 5.9 litre diesel engine. Bayline had one Ford R1114 coach (No. 49) with Midland C43F body. This was supplied when the company was Tauranga Bus Service Ltd but renaming of the company in 1986 has been reflected on LTSA records.

Later rego. was PS2139 and on 29 September 2008, was acquired by B S Landers & J M Lineham, Waitara, and rego. was on hold the following year.

 

Year: 1979

Make: FORD

Model: R1114

Colour: White

Second Colour: Yellow

Plate: PS2139

Engine No: N/A

Chassis: CLO1TD98052

Seats: 49

CC rating: 7,127cc

Fuel Type: Diesel

Assembly Type: Unknown

Country of Origin: Not known

Gross Vehicle Mass: 11,900kg

Tare Weight: 8,140kg

Axle Type: 2-Axle

Axles: 2

Wheelbase: 5,740

Plates History:

PS2139 - 5 February 1991

JK2081 - 27 November 1979

 

Clive Otway writes that in 1973, the Tauranga bus business run by Brian Snow (the Snow Group consisting of the Tauranga Bus Service/Mount Buses Ltd./Manurewa Bus Co. [latter purchased October 1967]), was sold to Mr Leo Dromgoole of Auckland who had previously purchased the old-established Mount Ferry Service from the Faulkners.

A new company, "Tauranga-Mount Maunganui Buses Ltd", was formed with Mr Campbell Jamieson as Manager. Fleet livery became red and cream.

 

TAURANGA BUS SERVICE

By Clive Otway

The main business area of Tauranga developed mainly at the end of a peninsula with early transport to the town being mainly by ship. Residential development gradually spread back down the peninsula on either side of Cameron Road and eventually to the countryside beyond. In more recent times the bridging of the harbour following the earlier building of the causeways to Otumoetai and Maungatapu has meant that the business area, although relatively "confined", is not so isolated with more "through" traffic being generated to the expanding suburbs. The Waikareao Expressway has relieved some congestion along Cameron Road but the further planned arterial routes are desperately needed.

For many years the geographical situation meant that public transport was important particularly to those living further "out" along Cameron Road to the area largely known as Gate Pa and Greerton. The latter has developed as a very important shopping centre since the 1950s. The Racecourse, which is situated in Greerton, is still referred to as the "Gate Pa Course".

Again, in more recent years, it is unfortunate that public transport has not received total support from successive Councils, the word "subsidy" apparently not being considered appropriate. This has resulted in today's public transport being best described as "skeletal".

Nevertheless, the history of the various operators' running what can be loosely described as the "Gate Pa Bus Service" or the "Tauranga Bus Service" is quite interesting and an attempt is made here to provide a limited record.

 

The earliest known operator was W. Herbert, who, in 1919, commenced a thrice daily service (extra on Saturdays) from Tauranga Town to Gate Pa with a Model T Ford bus. By the end of the following years when the service had been extended to Greerton and Hairini, Mr A.W. Oliver had taken over. But within the space of six months Messrs McLamon and West were running the service. They "extended" out to Pyes Pa and instituted a "picture bus" to Hairini.

 

By May 1921, we find that Mr J. Mehrtens had taken over. Operating a Ford bus, he ran to the following timetable:

TAURANGA MOTOR BUS SERVICE

Gate Pa to Tauranga

Gate Pa Depart: Monday, Tuesday; Wednesday, Friday: 0830, 1330, 1645 Thursday, 0830 and 1700.

Saturday: 0830, 1000, 1305, 1415, 1845.

Town Wharf Depart: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 1210,1600,1730

Thursday, 1220, 1730.

Saturday, 0930,1210, 1600, 1730,2200.

Bus available for special runs between the regular trips. - J. Mehrtens, Proprietor, Gate Pa.

 

In February 1926, Mr J. Risetto had not only taken over the Tauranga to Chadwick Road, Greerton, service, but was also operating to Welcome Bay. Vehicle used was a 16 passenger Chevrolet but it is believed that a second Chevrolet was also owned. A Mr T. Anquetil was the driver. November 1928 saw a change of ownership with Murgatroyds "Green Bus Service" being on the run. But only for a short time as Mrs H. Durham took over managing the service until September 1931 when Mr F. C. Hodgman came on the scene. His "Gate Pa Bus Service" operated a cream coloured Model A Ford bus as well as a Stewart. The timetable provided for six trips a day between Tauranga and the Hospital with some services extending out to Gate Pa.

 

In addition, there was a service from Hairini to the Hospital as well as a once a day service to "Te Puke Road." Following six years of ownership, Mr Hodgman sold to Mr S Managh whose vehicle was a Stewart with single rear wheels, later fitted with duals. Mr J. Lyons took over in March 1938 with Mr L. G. Hogan taking control in mid-1939. The Stewart was joined by a 24 seater Commer.

The relatively quick turnover of operators was ended when Mr Frank G. Gresham of Greshams Garage Limited, bought the business in July 1942. By this time the Stewart was used mainly as a school bus on the Greerton to Oropi Road. Mr F. C. Hodgman was still in public transport running a taxi. "

The War Years saw a gas producer fitted to the Commer and about this time Mr Gresham was pressed into the Navy. Mrs Gresham took over managing the business as well as driving. Dorothy Papps (later Mrs Musk) also assisted with driving duties. Ron Oliver was the mechanic. A later driver was Gordon Green. Mrs Gresham recalled that besides the normal runs, they were kept very busy by running a "soldiers service" from the Racecourse Camp to Town in 1943, a WTB Bedford was purchased followed soon after by an OLB Bedford. Both 33 seaters, the former had a "sloping rear" whereas the latter had a "square rear". These "Tauranga Bus Service" vehicles, painted blue and white, became fleet numbers 2 and 3.

The War Years of the 1940s and the few years following, were probably the peak of operations so far as passenger loadings were between Tauranga Town and the Hospital (extras on Friday) with four trips extending out to Gate Pa. Nine services were run on Saturday. In addition there was a frequent service to Burrows Street from Town as well as a twice daily (extras on Friday and Saturday) service to Hairini and Maungatapu. The writer recalls that the Friday and Saturday evening picture buses were always well patronised.

 

In late 1946, a new 33 seater DB Bedford was built in Mr Gresham's own garage/workshop situated on the corner of First Avenue and Devonport Road. This vehicle was followed by Nos 5 and 6, also 33 seater Bedfords. These vehicles were named "Tauranga Marlin", "Tauranga Tourist" and "Tauranga Cruiser".

In October 1948 the private company, "Tauranga Bus Service Ltd", was registered with the share capital being held by Mr and Mrs Gresham. That same year, as the result of obtaining a Sightseeing Licence, the firm was advertising two tours operating from Tauranga every Thursday. The morning tour departing at 0930 encompassed the Mission House, Monmouth Redoubt and the Borough area. In the afternoon the tour visited a citrus orchard, a vineyard, the Gate Pa battle site and a Maori pa.

 

Regarding vehicles - in July 1953, the firm took delivery of a very smart looking SB Bedford "Coronation Cruiser" which became No 7 in the fleet. In September 1956 the Company was granted an extension to its Tourist Licence providing for weekly tours during the Summer months to the Chateau, Whakamaru and adjacent areas'.

The year 1957 saw a change of ownership. Two years previously Mr Brian Snow, a farmer of Belk Road, Tauriko, successfully tendered for some outlying school runs. With the addition of further licences, the "Country Bus Service" was joined by Mr C.H.G. Snow, Brian's father. Frank Gresham then offered the Tauranga and Greerton Licences plus the Touring Licence to Brian Snow in consideration for the Snow farm at Tauriko, With the exchange effected, Brian and his wife replaced the Greshams as shareholders and directors of Tauranga Bus Service Ltd.

 

In May 1959, the Maungatapu Causeway was opened providing a much shorter link to the Mount Maunganui area thus allowing the Company to commence a service between Tauranga Town and the "Mount". However, the following month there were differences of opinion between the Company and the Tauranga Council. The Council wished to resite the bus and taxi stands off the main streets in order to provide more parking. The fact that the Council wished to institute a charge to the transport operators for the use of the stands roused the ire of the Company. In a letter to the "Bay of Plenty Times", Brian Snow said that because of the Council's attitude, his firm was unwilling to carry passengers from the Mount to Tauranga. He maintained that the Mount Council was far more cooperative. Notwithstanding this, the Company announced that it was commencing an increased half-hourly service to Greerton and Merivale.

 

Around this time, the firm "Mount Buses Ltd" was purchased from the Faulkners thus giving the Company various routes at the Mount as well as a licence from the Mount to Te Puke. There was also a workers' service from Matapihi to the wharf area.

By July 1960 the Company was considering the curtailment of Sunday services despite strong objections. The Company highlighted its case by using the example of a Sunday service from Mount Maunganui to the Hospital. This had run from mid-December to March and was a complete failure: ten of the twelve trips operated carried no passengers!

Meanwhile the Company's Mount Maunganui to Te Puke Licence had been suspended but in 1963, Tui Motors of Te Puke, was granted a licence to operate from Te Puke to the Mount via Manoeka. Tauranga Bus Service objected to this as they wished to protect their suspended licence which they wished to retain in case circumstances improved. "Hardly a strong case," the Appeal Judge stated but nevertheless the Tui Licence was amended with restrictions between Te Maunga and the Mount.

 

By this time Mrs C.H.G. Snow was managing the business as Brian, desirous of a "change" had moved to Australia. He later shifted to Taihape.

Due" to declining patronage, the Company, in February 1964, increased fares. "we don't want to do this," said Mr Snow senior, "but people don't want to use our buses." He followed this up with an advertisement in the "B.O.P. Times":

"You can help us keep these fare charges down:

- By using our buses.

- By not travelling at peak time where possible.

- By tendering the correct change-thus saving time.

- By refusing rides offered by passing motoristis (It is illegal for a motorist to stop and pick up passengers at a bus stop.)

- Do you know bus travelling is still the safest means of transport anywhere in the world?

- Do you know what it costs to travel by car? It would surprise you.

- Do you know - Land Agents advertise "close to good bus service" if the property advertised is near any of our routes?

- Do you know there have been no fare increases for 5 years and we have had to face 4 wage rises!

- Use the blue and white buses for your City travel and also use our Tourist Licence for your parties and help keep the fare charges down in Tauranga City and Mount Maunganui.

 

In October 1964, the Company took delivery of a new bus. Fleet Number 8 was a 40 seater Bedford imported from the U.K. in "CKO" form and assembled by Onehunga Motor Bodies. Following increasing emphasis on specials.' school work and tours, in 1965 the Company ran its first tour to the South Island.

In August 1966 the "N.Z. Herald" carried a report of an accident to one of the firm's buses. While proceeding from Bethlehem towards Tauranga one Saturday afternoon, the bus was involved in a head-on collision with a truck. The bus veered off the road down a bank, snapping a telegraph pole on the way to ending up in a paddock. It was fortunate for the 22 passengers that the bus didn't overturn. Only three passengers were injured.

 

In October 1967 the Snow Group purchased the Manurewa Bus Co Ltd thus obtaining further licences and with the establishment of an associate Company, "Greerton Bus Service Ltd", the Group held touring licences to cover Tauranga, Hamilton and Auckland airports. The headquarters of "TBS Tours" was at Manurewa.

In February 1970, the "Victor Transport" operation was purchased from Ted Kirk who had bought the business from the Smiths three years previously. This purchase gave the Snow Group additional routes in the Tauranga, Otumoetai, Bethlehem and Te Puna areas as well as acquiring a further nine vehicles.

In 1973, the Tauranga business was sold to Mr Leo Dromgoole of Auckland who had previously purchased the old-established Mount Ferry Service from the Faulkners. A new Company "Tauranga-Mount Maunganui Buses Ltd" was formed with Mr Campbell Jamieson as Manager. Fleet livery became red and cream. Brian Snow's 'TBS Tours Ltd" business continued to operate from Manurewa.

 

At this time the new firm was operating the following passenger services:

1. Tauranga (Town) to Greerton via Courtenay Road and Merivale

2. Tauranga to Greerton via Cameron Road and Hospital

3. Tauranga to Mount Maunganui

4. Tauranga to Otumoetai and Levers Road

5. Tauranga to Bellevue

6. Tauranga to Cambridge Road and Bethlehem

7. Tauranga to Te Puna and Omokoroa

8. Tauranga to Papamoa and Matapihi

 

However, by September 1982, due to falling patronage, the Company was seeking to cut some services. The Licensing Authority declined part of the application but agreed to the deletion of Saturday services. The Mayor of Tauranga stated that the Company should not receive a subsidy but the matter should be kept under review "in the public interest".

By the end of the following month, however, further cuts were announced. Daily trips from the Mount to Tauranga and to Otumoetai were to be severely cut: the runs to Papamoa and Omokoroa to be cancelled: the Merivale and Greerton runs to be merged. The Licensing Authority warned the three Tauranga local bodies that they could be faced with having to run the area's public transport system if the Company was forced to continue dropping services: the Company could no longer sustain a loss of $6000 a month on its urban services.

By September 1983, further cuts such as workers' services were proposed. Mr Jamieson stated that "the Council have told us that Tauranga does not want a bus service. It is a waste of time" While some Council members urged a subsidy the majority were against such a move.

In January 1984, the Company sought to further reduce its services and despite this, the Council declined a request for a Council/Government subsidy to help run the buses. Hardest hit areas would be the Mount and Matua. However a pro-Company councillor said that the Council was guilty of letting the bus service die. In February, the further cuts took effect representing one third of all services.

 

In 1985 the following services were still in operation:

1. City to Hospital, Gate Pa and Merivale

2. City to Greerton via Cameron Road

3. City to Mount Maunganui

4. City to Otumoetai area, Brookfield and Bellevue

5. City to Matua (twice a week)

 

Around this times operations were being conducted under the name of "Bayline Group Ltd": Campbell Jamieson was Managing Director, Terry Parkinson the Company Secretary and Tony Rolleston the fleet supervisor.

In July 1986, newspapers reported that all the City services operated by Bayline "faced the axe." The Company sought to have all its Route Licences revoked. Mr Jamieson said that while other cities supported public transport Tauranga did not.

With the cessation of most services, the sole surviving Bayline route was from the City to the Hospital, Merivale and Greerton. However, one Councillor, Mr Gordon Taylor later re-instituted a service from the City to Otumoetai / Matua / Bellevue and Cambridge Road.

For a time, the Bayline Group operated the Tauranga to Auckland coach service following the withdrawal from that route of the Mainline Company. For a time also, Bayline revived the City to Mount service following the opening of the Harbour Bridge

 

In April 1989, Campbell Jamieson retired from the Bayline Group with Mr Tony Lugg, formerly of Pahiatua Passenger Services, purchasing his shares and becoming Managing Director.

Operating smaller vehicles, the Otumoetai area service, as well as a run to the Mount was eventually taken up by Newloves who also operate between Bayfair and Papamoa.

The City-Greerton service was recently sold to the Ed & Joy Savill - the Savills were formerly with "Black and White Buses" which had been absorbed into the Bayline Group.

 

The Tauranga Public Transport controversy has not ended. In the "NZ Herald" of 29th September 1998, a Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor stated that "a rapidly growing Tauranga needs a public transport system. Calling for urgent action, he said that solving the problem would become more difficult and more expensive the longer it was ignored.

"Tauranga cannot achieve sustainable urban growth without public passenger transport," he said. "An integrated bus system is the simplest, most effective and efficient way of doing this" he continued. The Councillor was critical of the District Council's recent "Strategic Plan" which supported the idea of public transport without being prepared to provide funds. In response the Chairman of the Strategy Committee said it would not be prudent to commit large quantities of ratepayers funds to a public transport system in isolation. "The issue must also include roading, parking and other systems."

And so the familiar theme goes on!

 

For assistance in compiling this article, particular thanks are due to Mr X.D. McKinlay and the late Mrs M.H.M. Gresham. Thanks also to John Herbert, Alan Bellamy, the Tauranga District Museum and others including Tauranga Public Library.

Acknowledgment to the "NZ Herald", "Bay of Plenty Times", "The Bay Sun", "Mount and Papamoa Times", "BOP Mirror" and "PSV Circle". - Sourced from The Omnibus Magazine, November 1998.

 

 

 

Done