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Southampton Corporation Transport started in 1919 and become City of Southampton in 1964. In 1986, as a result of deregulation it became Southampton Citybus until it was brought by First Bus in 1997. ==Beginning== Bus transport started in Southampton shortly after World War I in 1919 with the first route starting on 31 July of that year, carrying the legend "Southampton Corporation Tramways". The route ran from the Clock Tower to Winchester Road (St. James Corner). It went via Bedford Place and St. James Road. Over the years, the Corporation extended the network, with routes going to many places over the City, including the Floating Bridge, Royal Pier, and Millbrook Road. In the earlier days buses were stored at Highfield Depot, and the buses used were Thornycroft "J" type and fitted with Southampton Corporation double-deck, open top bodies built at the Portswood works. Travelling by bus was becoming more popular and in response to this, in 1920 several routes in the eastern side of the city were trialled, including a short route from Bitterne Church to Sholing. The Bitterne Church to Sholing route however was withdrawn in January 1921, but was reinstated in September 1922. Another route that was not attracting as many passengers as hoped was from the Floating Bridge to Tanners Brook, which was withdrawn in March 1921. The Corporation was making a loss on these bus services so a major change was needed and in 1921, new buses were bought; these being Leyland chassis "E" Type on which the Corporation fitted a single deck onto, along with a front entrance, thereby distinguishing it from the open top buses that were previously used. The single deck buses proved their worth on the Clock Tower to Winchester Road route. In 1925, more new buses were ordered and the name was changed from 'Southampton Corporation Tramways' to the 'Southampton Corporation Motor Service', and also a new livery was added to the fleet, consisting of blue upper and lower panels, divided by a white waist rail. Problems were being found with the Bitterne route by 1925, having been extended to Woolston; the problem being that the roads were falling into serious disrepair. 1926 saw the introduction of several new routes, which were an alternative from Woolston to Sholing, meeting the demand for bus travel on the eastern side of the City; another route being from Grand Theatre to Burgess Road via Hill Lane. Over the years, new buses were being delivered of various models; Guy, Leyland, Thornycroft and AEC. More routes were also being added with routes now going to Butts Road, Swaythling and Freemantle, thus expanding the existing network. A new bus garage was opened on 1 January 1932 on St. Denys' Road – Portswood Depot, which offered the Corporation a much-needed increase in storage capacity and overhaul faculties. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Southampton Corporation Transport」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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