Complete Books

Laurie recounts the story of his father as a conductor with London Transport and London Country Bus Services

A bit of an outlier for this page, but an interesting comparison of scheduling drivers & conductors at 11 operators, NBC & municipal

Small book offering guidance to anyone considering applying to become a driver

Detailed guidance for drivers, includes explanations of procedures, duties, etc

A bit of an outlier for this page, but an interesting 14-page pamphlet setting out demands for improvements in crews’ conditions. c.1967

The stories behind 16 aspects of London bus operation over 50 years

Aimed at younger schoolchildren, this short book describes and illustrates a typical day’s work for Sally, an Arriva driver. Includes useful photos eg re signing on and cashing up

The working life and times of a Guard and Driver at Manchester Corporation’s Queens Road Garage, told in extensive detail over 390 pages.

A small book containing very short stories.

Experiences driving in the North East.

Conducting, then bus and later coach driving and finally a manager for Midland Red, Midland Red West andFirst, finally part-time for Cresswells Coaches.

Thoughts, musings and reflections of the industry, from his blog. A series of unconnected short chapters, not an autobiography

A collection of short profiles of key industry figures, published to mark the 75thanniversary of the founding of the OS. Managers profiled comprise: Lord Ashfield, Charles W Baroth, R Edgley Cox, Sidney Garcke, Werner Heubeck, Geoffrey Hilditch, Brian King, Charles F Klapper, Arthur Lainson, Charles E Lee, William Morison Little, Moir Lockhead, Norman Morton, Frank Pick, Robert Stuart Pilcher, George John Rackham, Donald Sinclair, Brian Souter and W J Crosland Taylor.

Nigel’s time as a traffic apprentice with Devon General

The author’s experiences as a driver of lengthy overseas expeditions for Top Deck Travel.

Reminiscences of time spent as a driver at North Western's Manchester depot between 1963 and 1967

FICTION: the DVDs of this LWT TV series and spin off films following the lives of Stan (driver), Jack (conductor) and Inspector Blakely. Those who were in the industry at the time say the scenes are not as implausible as at might first seem, even if seriously politically incorrect today!

Memoirs of a BradfordCorporation bus conductor, 1946 onwards

A compilation of short stories and memories from 150 people, staff in various roles at United Counties, passengers and enthusiasts

Interviews with drivers, trade union officials and managers who kept Northern Ireland’s buses running during these turbulent times

The story of London tramway man Stan Collins

Experiences as a conductress in Swansea around the time of the Second World War

The autobiography of one of London Transport’s best known and respected engineers and bus designer

A random collection of stories from people who worked for the mighty Ribble

Fictional account of women conductors on Sheffield trams in WW2

Experiences working for Western SMT as a student conductor

Recording people who moved from Co. Donegal to work on Glasgow Corporation, with features on various people

The story of the 1963 colour bar dispute on Bristol buses. There’s also an audio interview with Martin Rees, Mayor of Bristol in 2019, at https://bit.ly/2poohqj

Bob’s story managing and developing bus companies, from a fitter with Midland General, through to Dunn Line.

Staff developments over the past 100 years at London Transport

Working for Bradford Corporation, mainly about the intricacies of erecting and maintaining the overhead wiring

The story behind the fictional hit TV series

The author worked in the offices (claims dept) but also conducted and later drove part time for Manchester Corporation Transport

A series of short stories from around a dozen former Eastern National employees

Reminiscences of working for the North Staffordshire Steam Tramways, Blackburn Corporation the Potteries Electric Traction, Wrexham & District Electric Traction Co., and the Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley & Dukinfield Transport & Electricity Board, where he was latterly Manager (1929-1944)

Experiences of an inspector/revenue protection inspector on London buses

A Time-Traveller’s Guide to Working on the Buses during the 1960s and 1970s. Short stories based on Midland Red and Birmingham Corporation.

Stories of everyday life on the Midland Red from drivers and conductors

Stories of everyday life on the Midland Red from drivers and conductors

A frank account of the ups and downs of buying and running a small bus company in rural Suffolk - Corona Coaches

Part 1 of GGH's fascinating account of buses he encountered in his rise through the ranks to reach the heights of General Manager

Part 2 of GGH's fascinating account of buses he encountered in his rise through the ranks to reach the heights of General Manager

Following on from the long out-of-print books above, GGH wrote two new volumes published by Oakwood Press, which are more autobiographical. They cover his experiences in: Vol 1: Early days living in Oldham, Gorton loco works, Leeds Trams; Vol 2: Manchester, Plymouth, GtYarmouth and Halifax

Continuing the story: Vol 3 covers West Yorkshire PTEand Leicester; Vol 4 covers the Dept for Transport, Aberdare, Drawlane Groupand Leicester again

Bob’s career in management with Crosville, Midland Red, Leicester, Derby, North Western and Arriva

The title says it all! Life at Trent Motor Traction.

Mick’s career as a conductor and driver for Eastbourne Corporation and Stagecoach South East

Bernard’s career as a conductor and driver with Nottingham City Transport, Bristol Omnibus, Alex Smith Coachways, Trent, Stagecoach and National Express

The brutally honest memories of Robin, a part time driver, signwriter, inspector and preservationist

Story of a driver with Hicksof Braintree but some details/events are questionable or confused.

Memories of working for South Yorkshire Motors of Castleford, as a conductor, then driver, from 1923 until 1954

An autobiographical account of what it was like to be a clippie on the Sheffield trams and buses during the Second World War. Was also available as an 185 minute 3-CD set (publisher: Poppy Records).

A series of chapters about aspects of the mighty Midland Red, including various staff memories

From conductor to management with London Country Bus Services and London Country North West

Experiences as a conductor & driver for Ribble, then traffic clerk and finally as a driver for Standerwick.

Not a story of working on the buses as such but a valuable explanation of many aspects of the operation and staffing of buses

Conducting, driving and more, variously for United Auto, Scott’s Greys, Commodore Coaches, RCA, Wallace Arnold, Brownings Coaches and Darlington Corporation

The authors have worked hard to track down a number of ex-Southdown drivers, conductors and other staff who relate a range of fascinating and unique stories.

A series of 5 booklets covering working for Bradford Corporation on trolleybuses, 1960-1972

Aimed at young people to help decide what they want to do with their lives by giving them realistic and vivid information about what to expect.

A quirky look at the pressures and issues facing bus drivers in Cornwall, for First Kernow.

A collection of memories working as a driver for Southdown Motor Servicesfrom 1958 to 1984

Work as a driver with London Country Bus Services and then as an engineering manager with London Transport and Bus Engineering Ltd at Chiswick Works.

Commentary from the heart about the current London bus scene

A lighthearted account of a bus driver in & around Glasgow, with Alexander Midland, Western SMT, Central SMT, Eastern Scottish and Highland Scottish

Bruce Macphee describes his days as a works driver for Southdown; he also drove buses in service for them and, later, for Brighton Hove & District.

A novel rather than a strict factual account – Enter the weird world of the bus driver, . . . in which ‘the timetable’ and ‘the maintenance of headway’ are sacred.

Peter’s managerial career in the industry with 6 operators – including lots of observations from other managers

The story of driver (Belfast Corporation and Ulsterbus), who became a trade union official representing bus workers during the Troubles in Northern Ireland

The memoirs of a Northfleet busman, London Transport, London Country Bus Services, Kentish Bus, Arriva Southern Counties

Experiences as a conductor and driver with Liverpool Corporation Passenger Transport

An account of the author's time at Royal Blue as Superintendent, Assistant to the General Manager, and Commercial Manager. Contains good background on Traffic Commissioners' hearings and licensing issues.

Fictional account of buying a near defunct coach company and turning it round. Thought to be closely based on real life!

Memories of working for Crosville (from 1914) and North Western and Salopia Saloon Coaches

Recollections of a West Bromwich CTD busman, 1928-1976; with plenty of details about the fleet, services, and other operational matters.

Mainly pictorial book charting the history of women at work on London's transport (operating buses, trams, trolleybuses, tube trains, in the offices, canteens, works etc.).

The author’s experience as a fitter with London Transport, Doncaster Corporation (also driver), South Yorkshire PTE, then with Blue Line, Leon Motor Services, Wilfreda Beehive, Yorkshire Traction, Stagecoach and First and including involvement with trolleybus preservation

An engineering career with London Transport & predecessors, starting on B types in 1918.

Memories from this legendary bus preservationist

Encompassing 21 years experience with Bournemouth Yellow Buses, this fascinating book is dedicated to bus crews and their passengers everywhere. The book describes what it was like to work and travel by bus, before one-man operation took away the camaraderie which existed between the bus crews themselves and sometimes even their passengers!

Memories of the author and his father's time working for Wrexham & District, and later Crosville.

A Leeds tram from the conductor’s view

Reminiscences of working on the Glasgow Trams

The author's experiences of running a small bus company in Northumberland (Batty's, later Tower Transit).

From tram conductor with Metropolitan Electric Tramways, through Cambrian Bus Company, to driver with London General Omnibus Company andLondon Transport

Jim and May Cooke talk with J. S. Wagstaff about their days on the buses from London Transport's Bromley Garage.

A variety of roles with London Transport, including public relations, driving for London Coaches and Arriva.

A detailed account and observation of the bus driver and conductor’s lot in the 1950s. Fictitious place names but based on Hartlepool.

Author George Watson was the General Manager of Clydeside and tells the inside story of its formation and demise in what he describes as a story of naivety, unprofessionalism and ultimately foolishness, at both corporate and political levels.

David worked as a part time driver with Ribble at Manchester. See also his article Lakeland Leopard in Buses Yearbook 2002

The author's recollections of working as a horse bus conductor for Thomas Tilling in London, and more comprehensive coverage in the later volume

Driving coaches and later buses for Grey-Green Coaches and later London Coaches and Swallow Coaches.

Experiences of a driver and conductor with Blackpool Corporation, 1942 to 1985

Autobiographical account of the author's time at North Western Road Car, Gateshead & District, PMT, Midland Red, (where he was General Manager), and finally at National Bus Companyheadquarters

Recollections of working for London Transport in the bus schedules department, then as Secretary/organiser - Orpington Rural Transport Association, proprietor - North Downs Transport Services, Taxibus, Cross Country Connexions(Berwick-upon-Tweed).