Manly’s First Bus Service

Manly can lay claim to having the first regular private bus route in New South Wales. In 1905, Charles Reid and his brother imported the chassis of four motor omnibuses to Sydney. Mr Pittman at Redfern constructed the bodies of the omnibuses, and they were completed by December 1905. Two of the buses were intended for use between Manly, Rock Lily, Pittwater and Narrabeen, and the others were earmarked for a route between Glen Innes and Inverell. There was already a Government Tramways omnibus service from Potts Point to Oxford Street, which began in December 1905 with the idea that this service would interconnect with and give a boost to the tram service, but the Manly route appears to have been the first private route in NSW. An even earlier service from Hobart to Launceston appears to have been the first omnibus route in Australia.

Reid’s omnibuses had four cross-seats, arranged like a charabanc, accommodating about 18 passengers, but unusually each row was on a different level, allowing every passenger an equal view of the scenery. Press reports described them as “pioneer” buses, particularly adapted to Australian conditions. Top speed was 20-25 mph.

The formation of the Manly-Pittwater Motor Omnibus Company Ltd, with £8500 capital, was announced in February 1906. The company secretary was Mr E E Kennedy. The chairman was Charles H Kerry, and John Williams was Director.

The Manly-Pittwater Motor Company began operations on 8 February 1906. The maiden run saw two omnibuses packed with dignitaries and pressmen depart from the Pier Hotel, Manly (pictured above on left) at 2.20pm to the destination of Brock’s mansion at Newport. “The introduction of the latest form of propelled vehicle was highly appreciated by the Manly residents”, stated the Sydney Morning Herald. The first bus covered the distance, some 11-12 miles, in 50 minutes, but the second bus had carburetor problems and took considerably longer. Bigwigs who travelled included Dugald Thomson MP, Dr Arthur MLA, and Mayor Quirk of Manly.

By May 1906 the service had been in regular operation for about four months, running motor drags or charabancs between Manly and Narrabeen, and that month, the service was extended to Rock Lily and Bayview.

The Manly-Pittwater Motor Omnibus Company was eventually registered in August 1907, with a capital of £5000, to ply motor omnibuses between Manly and the Spit, the Spit and Narrabeen, Manly and Newport and Bayview, and Manly and Sydney.

However, for whatever reason, business did not take off, and the Manly-Pittwater Motor Omnibus Company Ltd was wound up voluntarily in July 1908. John Williams was the Liquidator.

Manly Library Local History Studies http://manlylocalstudies.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/manlys-first-bus.html 

Narrabeen about 1917 opposite where the Narrabeen Sands is now. My mum is the little girl in the front seat, she was six years old.

My Grandfather was Charlie Bottle , who had a motor garage at Narrabeen opposite Antler. He had some converted lorries with garden seats on them to take passengers from Manly Wharf to Narrabeen in late the 20's early 30's. This photo was taken around 1930 at Narrabeen. Shared by Dennis Fraser.