Centenary of Public Transport in Maidstone

This month Maidstone celebrates 100 years of Public Transport in the town.

It was on the 14^th July 1904 that the first tram operated a service between the High Street and Barming (Fountain Inn) although other routes and services quickly followed.

The Barming trams were replaced by eight new trolley buses on the 1^st May 1928although the Loose trams continued until 11^th February 1930 when seven English Electric trolley buses went into service. At that time tramway operation ended in the borough.

Trolley buses ran in the town until 15th April 1967 when ‘No. 72’ decked out with a commemorative plaque, flags and lights pulled into the depot in Tonbridge Road at around midnight, with huge crowds watching. Diesel buses took over duties from the trolley buses. Since then the town has seen many bus changes – an experimental colour scheme pf powder blue and cream on the ‘Atlantean’ double deck buses, the demise of ‘Boro-line’ and the eventual take over of the town’s bus service by ‘Arriva’.   The cover illustration of this month’s ‘Community’ depicts the first tram, and English Electric Trolleybus and Atlantean and the present ‘Park and Ride’ buses which have themselves just been updated with brand new stock. In the centre is No. 72 Maidstone’s last trolleybus.

Several events have been planned to commemorate the 100 years – most notably the return for viewing of No. 72 which will appear at various functions. Other events are the Cavalcade of buses marking the original tram route of 1904 which will leave the town centre at 12 noon on the 14^th July and a bus rally in the Lockmeadow Town Square on Sunday 18th July from 10.00am. Free bus rides will be available.

Brian Cannell

The cover illustration of this month’s Community is another example of Brian Cannell’s artistic talent.

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