Motor Coach Trade in the War.

This article appeared in the Eastbourne Gazette on 30th August 1916. Petrol was in short supply as the army needed most supplies, this meant that the motor coach tourist business was severely hit, which in turn affected most seaside town’s tourist economy.

The fact that the army hierarchy was quite willing to use supplies for its own ends does not endear itself to the Eastbourne Gazette’s editors.

"Motor Coaches

Request For Extension Of Time

The motor coaches are such an important feature at Eastbourne and other seaside resorts that if they are to cease running great loss and hardship must be caused to the proprietors and their employees. We hope, therefore, that every possible effort will be made to secure just and considerate treatment for a business in which a large amount of capital is invested and we understand that the proprietors are prepared to reduce their consumption of petrol to such an extent that no question of interference with military supplies can arise.

This is surely the limit. Writing from Hampshire to a firm of motor coach owners of Eastbourne, a gentleman who proposed to go for a long trip writes: “I am sorry you have had to cancel the tour, but I shall feel it less than others. I expect as I am going on tour with an army officer who is able to get petrol, and thus consider myself extremely fortunate in the days!”"

This picture gives an indication of a motor coach of the time. Taken in America in 1910.

From : http://baharris.org/historicpolandspring/Samoset/MotorCoach_1912.jpg