By the mid-1960s, London had bidden farewell to its last trolleybuses but the iconic Routemasters were still emerging in large numbers from the AEC works at Park Royal. To the casual observer, it might have seemed that London Transport had weathered the storm of the previous decade, when industrial action had led to a significant reduction in traffic, and could look forward with confidence to the 1970s. The reality, however, was that the 15-year period from 1965 to 1980 was to witness some of the most significant changes in bus operation that the Metropolis had witnessed in some 40 years.
On 1 January 1970, LT’s Country Area was hived off and passed over to the National Bus Company as the newly-created London Country. This period was also to witness the final demise of two other long lasting and highly regarded bus designs, the RF and the RT. Both of these types succumbed towards the end of the period, whilst the trend towards One-Person Operation led to the introduction of a number of new designs such as the Merlin, the Swift and the DMS. These new buses were to become familiar sights on London’s streets for many years.
In his latest all-colour album on London Transport, Kevin McCormack examines this crucial period, when LT passed from the Swinging Sixties through to the 1970s. Incorporating some 85 colour illustrations, all of which are previously unpublished, the author portrays the great variety of bus types and operations visible on the streets of London during these years. Supplementing the photographs are the author’s detailed and pertinent captions, providing a fascinating commentary on the changing London Transport scene in the period covered by the book.
Over the years, Kevin McCormack has acquired a reputation that is second to none in terms of being able to access the best in unpublished colour material. This new collection is certain to further enhance his considerable reputation and will be of interest to all those who knew London during this period as well as all those with an interest in the development and operation of London buses.
Author: Kevin McCormack
Format: HB 80 pages
Publisher: Ian Allan Ltd
Pub date: June 2007
ISBN 10: 0711032033
ISBN 13: 9780711032033
List Price: £14.99
