The year when the Economic buses of Sunderland and South Tyneside returned to the headlines
They’re names which are entwined into Sunderland and South Tyneside’s past - but the Economic buses were back in the news in April 1982.
Allan Purvis and his brother John wanted to hear from any industrialist or businessman in Wearside or South Tyneside who could help them bring 15 of the veteran buses back to the area.
The brothers were members of the North East Bus Preservation Society, which had been looking for suitable premises for a public transport park.
A Sunderland Echo report at the time said: “At the moment the society stores the old buses on land at Tow Law - 30 miles away.
“And that’s too far away to let the Wearside public see them easily, ” said John, who was the proud owner of a 1948 AEC Regal 3, parked at Tow Law.
The brothers wanted Sunderland and South Tyneside people to have the opportunity of inspecting their public transport past ... and ride on it.
Economic Bus Service was a historic, independent bus operator in Sunderland and South Shields, operating from 1925 until its acquisition by the PTE in 1974.
It was known for its maroon and cream livery, and the service primarily operated routes along the coast.
The Economic service was a familiar and striking sight on the streets of Sunderland and South Tyneside.
It was George Anderson and Edward Wilson who entered into a gentleman’s agreement’ to start running it. They began in July 1925 between Whitburn Colliery and the Sea Lane tram terminus with a 12-seater Siddeley-Deasey, which was converted from a First World War Army ambulance.
Wives, sisters, cousins and other family members would help by getting behind the wheel or handling the ticket machine. Within a few decades, the Economic business had 21 buses and 60 drivers, mechanics and conductors.
When he spoke to the Sunderland Echo in 1975, Mr Anderson reflected on times gone by and particularly the war years.
He recalled how the era of women conductors grew during the conflicts, when the men of Wearside were called up for service.
By the mid-1970s, the Economic service had been taken over by the Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive.
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