Shropshire Routes to Roots

6. Peak loads: 1946 to 1951

Coach over car

The end of the war released a massive demand for travel. Operators were initially hard pressed to meet this demand because they had insufficient vehicles. A huge programme was started to rebuild the stock of buses and coaches in 1946. By 1950 the problem had been solved. The immediate post-war period was a difficult one for motorists. Petrol remained rationed and most new cars built in Britain were sold abroad to earn much needed foreign currency. There were many reasons for travel and the bus was often the only means of satisfying this huge demand. Coach travel became very popular and commuting increased. The labour government nationalised the railways and part of the bus industry in 1948. From the end of the War up until railway nationalisation, bus services were at their peak. From 1951 onwards, the bus would never again convey so many people in a year.

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