Red Reo Char-A-Banc

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c. 1925

Overview

An early Red Reo Char-A-Banc Service Ltd. vehicle that provided services along the Perth-Fremantle Road.

A door at the front and a centre aisle have replaced the side loading doors of earlier vehicles and glazed windows have been fitted.

Historical information

The Bluebird Motor Coach service was commenced late 1920 or early 1921 by Charles Henry Spicer. The service ran from Fremantle Town Hall to Perth via Karrakatta. The single fare was one shilling and sixpence, return two shillings and sixpence.

In 1922 George David joined the business. In 1926 they joined with the Red Reo Char-A-Banc Service and became the Metropolitan Omnibus Company (Metro Buses Ltd).

Metro progressively replaced their charabancs and early model buses with new Leyland units, running via Loch Street, Railway Road and Nicholson Road.

To compete with cheap railway fares, Metro introduced cheaper fares and pruned costs rather than lose patrons.

In 1933, Metro proposed that they be allowed to install a trolley bus service between Perth and Fremantle in lieu of petrol buses. It was rejected by the government.

In 1935, Metro completed negotiations with the Alpine Taxi Association to purchase goodwill and licences of some of their taxis. Forty-three taxis came together to set up the Metro bus subsidiary the Perth-Fremantle Omnibus Company Ltd. The other forty-five taxis formed the Alpine Parlour Car Omnibus Company.

In 1958 Metro was compulsorily acquired by a new government authority, the Metropolitan Transport Trust (MTT).

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-28--9-157-b

Item type

Photographs

Themes

Social History
Transport

Year

c. 1925

Links to additional resources

Claremont Museum.