TIMETABLE - JJ THORPE BUS SERVICE

J. J. Thorpe started operating his bus business in 1920 while working in Rockingham. He noticed that workers and visitors to Peel had limited travel options to the area from Perth. Recognising this he bought a truck chassis and built a basic bus frame and seating to it. He was able to do this profitably for a few years.

By 1924 his business involved a bus route from Jarrahdale to Perth before the route would be set as Perth to Armadale.

In 1930 a commissioned Studebaker coach was delivered for his services. Featuring brown leather seats, nickel coated fixtures, an engine that created 115hp and did not vibrate the whole bus it was considered cutting edge by the standards of the day.

By the mid thirties industrial action in the form of strikes were called that affected many bus companies. Mr Thorpe’s day runs were largely unaffected but their night and other services were (The Daily News, 1936). It was common for strikers to throw eggs at buses while driving along their route.

In January 1936 Mr Thorpe would face court for underpaying his employee. He pleaded guilty and explained that the award made little '… sense out of half the clauses in this award unless you read something into them.' The employee in question was a member of the Amalgamated Road Transport Union of Workers. The employee had worked overtime and the employee had ended up finishing their work on a Sunday. The court would fine Thorpe 10s and caution him.

It was also in 1937 that Thorpe appeared to decide to leave the industry. As in October it was reported that after one company failed to gather significant float, Thorpe sold his company to the Metropolitan Bus Co., Ltd. The paper points out that Thorpe stated that the deal did not include tools, plant, buildings, and land.

Thorpe was also a pioneer of sorts for amateur aviation. Newspapers reported on his holidays and purchases of aircraft.