Transport Firms’ Deal: Greymouth- Westport Service

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 September 1949, Page 2

Transport Firms’ Deal: GreymouthWestport Service

The Greymouth-Westport passenger road service, which has been conducted by Gibbs Motors Ltd., for many years is to be taken over as from October 3 next by Newman Bros. Ltd., and after a long absence Newman’s buses will make their reappearance in Greymouth. When the coastal road to Westport was opened in 1929, both Gibbs Motors and Newman Brothers Ltd. commenced passenger services between Greymouth and Westport, but after a period, Newman Brothers withdrew from the route and Gibbs Motors were the sole operators. Under the new arrangement between the companies, Newman Brothers Ltd. will take over the running of all passenger services on the coastal road, but Gibbs Transport Ltd. will continue to operate the freight service between Greymouth and Westport. The public will notice little change, except that the new buses will be painted in the long-established Newman Brothers’ style. The same depots will be used at Greymouth and at Westport and, in the meantime at least, there will be no alterations in the running schedules. Newman Brothers will take over some members of the staff of Gibbs Motors Ltd. The new arrangement will mean the linking of a big network of road services under the same management and name, as Newman Brothers already conduct the services from Westport to Nelson, Blenheim, Takaka and Christchurch. The connection with these services formerly made by Gibbs Motors vehicles from Greymouth will be maintained.

Gibbs Transport Ltd. will conduct the freight service in the same manner as previously and will continue as a separate entity, sharing the depot and garaging facilities at Greymouth and Westport with Newman Bros. Ltd.