Plymouth, Horse Bus Services - Millbay Station to Laira Bridge Terrace

PLYMOUTH
DATA

The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History

HORSE BUS SERVICES

MILLBAY STATION TO LAIRA BRIDGE TERRACE

When, on Thursday May 12th 1881, the Plymouth General Omnibus and Carrying Company announced the arrival of the first instalment of their new vehicles for use on the service to Compton Lane End, the directors stated that they proposed to start services to South Devon Place and Laira and also through North Road.

It is not clear whether or not it was the Plymouth General Omnibus and Carrying Company that did run the horse bus service from Millbay Railway Station to the Borough Boundary at Laira Terrace, in Laira Bridge Road, but it was certainly running by the start of 1882. The first bus from the Tram Terminus left at 8.30am and returned from Laira Terrace at 9am. It then ran every hour until 7.30pm from Millbay and 8pm from Laira Terrace.

By 1884/85 the frequency had been increased to half-hourly and the last bus ran at 8pm from Millbay and 8.30pm from Laira Terrace. But the Company had competition. A Mr Weeks also ran a bus starting from Laira at 8.45am and Millbay Station at 9.15am. He only ran hourly, however, with the last bus leaving at 7.45pm from Laira and 8.15pm from Millbay Station. The fare was two pence.

Following the demise of the Plymouth General Omnibus and Carrying Company, Mr H R Wills of Octoagon Mews took over the service and on Saturday September 22nd 1888 started running two omnibuses between Millbay Station and what he called the Laira 'Bus Terminus. The fare remained at 2d and the service ran from 8.30am until 7.30pm.