In this instalment of Our History series, Campbelltown Library Officer and history buff MICHAEL SULLIVAN puts the spotlight on Herbert Miles, a “bus enterprise pioneer” who helped stablish a vital bus service between our town and Camden 101 years ago.
In 1925, Herbert Miles, a “bus enterprise pioneer” originally from Manly came to Campbelltown and saw a need for a bus service between our town and Camden.
There was already a steam train between the two, but Miles thought he could compete.
He wrote to the council with the proposal and they readily agreed. By June, he was up and running with a seven-seater Australian Six car ferrying a slowly growing patronage of passengers – rain, hail or shine.
When the road to Camden had been newly-reconditioned, Miles created a modern bus expressly for the purpose.
Offering upholstered solid leather seats, nickel hand rails and three interior electric lights for night travel, this bus accommodated 21 persons and in style.
Finished outside with equal “elegance and grace” the front and rear signs illuminated the departure and destination: “Campbelltown – Camden”.
The entry step was 26cm from the ground and emblazoned with Miles’ motto of “Safety First”.
With this newly-minted bus, he guaranteed a better service than the train. He claimed not to be a rival to the railway because he didn’t undercut the fare, but he did offer a different mode of travel and the public concurred, acknowledging the comfort and time saved.
From all accounts, it seems to have been a great success, but then in 1931 we hear in the paper of the time that Herbert A Miles was charged for having a motor bus service without a license and that the “assessment had been made but not paid”.
Miles thought the fee of 60 pound a year was too much. He was fined one pound, plus costs and expenses.
We’re not sure how long Miles operated his service after this but, in 1949, there was a proposal from a Robert T Hodgson seeking permission to establish a “motor omnibus” for the same route.
The council was supportive with the motion from Alderman Sedgwick that any service should run for the convenience of those wishing to visit Camden hospital in the prescribed visiting hours.
