The 1930s (Inter‑War Growth)

In 1928 the council resolved to abandon the tramway and adopt motor buses, a decision implemented after a thorough programme of demonstrations in 1929.  The first phase of motor‑bus operation opened decisively in February 1930: ten AEC Regal single‑deckers (B30D, entrances at both ends) and six AEC Regent double‑deckers with Short Brothers bodies took up service, while the last tram (Car No.  10) was photographed that month with new buses already at work a few days earlier.   The early Regals wore a half‑ivory, half‑green livery with fine lining, reduced around 1932 to an all‑green scheme relieved by a single ivory band.  The Regents carried an elaborately lined apple‑green and ivory finish when new before settling to a three‑band layout with natural aluminium roof panels between the distinctive upper deck ‘camel’ domes.  During 1930 the Corporation’s new services pushed well beyond the former tram termini to West View (Saltney), Sealand Road, Saughall Road, Parkgate Road, Vicar’s Cross, Christleton, the Trooper Inn and the Red House on Sandy Lane.

Expansion continued, and within months in June 1930 a further four AEC Regents (Nos.  17 – 20) arrived with twin‑line destination displays (destination and ‘via’).  The wider legal context also shifted: the 1930 Road Traffic Act re‑classified services and introduced the Traffic Commissioners, and from 1931 the maximum permitted length for buses increased to 26 feet (the initial Regents had been 25 feet).  The years 1931 – 32 brought two Weymann‑bodied Regents (Nos.  21 – 22), the only Weymann bodies in the Chester fleet and identifiable by five‑bay construction and a divided upper‑deck rear window.  Race‑day loads were traditionally heavy and the undertaking hired up to six Birkenhead Leyland Titan TD1s with crews on meeting days.

In July 1932, the Corporation reached a formal operating arrangement with Crosville Motor Services, reshaping how the two operators shared the city. Under this agreement, the Corporation took responsibility for most local routes while Crosville concentrated on longer-distance services, with each company exchanging several key routes to create a more efficient overall network.  In June 1932, A new service to Cliveden road via Hough Green began, later revised to circular operation via Lache Lane in October 1933 with the development of the Lache estate.

A 1934 tender sought two 20‑seat buses and one double‑decker, with a series of demonstrations in late 1933 and early 1934—including the AEC ‘Q’, a rare Foden diesel double‑decker demonstrator, and Leyland’s TD3c.  The Corporation purchased two Bedford WLBs (Nos.  23 – 24) with Duple front‑entrance 20‑seat bodies, as well as a Leyland TD3 (No.  25) with Massey bodywork entering service in November 1934.  In May 1936 three Leyland TD4c Titans (Nos.  26 – 28) arrived, accompanying route extensions: Christleton to Littleton and West View to the new Sandy Lane Ring Road junction, with new services from the General station to Huntingdon and Green Lane through Frodsham Street.  Fleet development continued on the eve of war with two East Lancashire Coachbuilders‑bodied AEC Regents (Nos.  29 – 30) in October 1938, the first in Chester to carry route number blinds, and in 1939 four oil‑engined AEC Regents (Nos.  31 – 34) with streamlined Massey bodywork and two Leyland TD5c Titans (Nos.  35 – 36) with metal‑framed Leyland bodies.

Across the decade the visual language of the fleet evolved.  Still images capture the early removal of overhead wires and subsequent covering of rails, the emergence of twin‑line indicators, and the adoption of blackout modifications later in the decade.  By September 1939 the Corporation had assembled a broadly modernised fleet foundation upon which wartime purchases would be layered.Service development in the early motor‑bus era continued within the constraints of the long‑standing 3½‑mile operating agreement with Crosville, which shaped route planning and tendering decisions during the 1930s. Demonstrator trials in 1933–34, including early diesel types such as the Foden DDG6, helped accelerate the Corporation’s move toward standardising on oil‑engined buses in subsequent procurement batches.

Timeline  –  The 1930s (1930 – 1939)

• 1930 — February: Buses replace trams.  Ten AEC Regals (Nos.  1 – 10, B30D, entrances both ends) and six AEC Regents (Nos.  11 – 16, Short Brothers bodies) enter service; last tram (Car No.  10) photographed February with new buses already in operation.
• 1930 — New routes extend beyond tram termini: West View (Saltney), Sealand Road, Saughall Road, Parkgate Road, Vicar’s Cross, Christleton, Trooper Inn and Red House (Sandy Lane).
• 1930 — June: Additional AEC Regents Nos.  17 – 20 delivered with twin‑line destination indicators (destination and “via”).
• 1931 — Road Traffic Act changes classifications; Traffic Commissioners instituted; Construction & Use allows 26ft length for buses (earlier Regents 25ft).
• 1931 — December: AEC Regents Nos.  21 – 22 delivered with Weymann bodies (five‑bay, divided upper‑deck rear window).
• 1932 — Street operations recorded: buses filmed crossing Old Dee Bridge in original 1930 livery with cream roof and surrounds; twin‑line indicators visible in period imagery.
  1932 – Services to Cliveden Road began, revised in 1932.
• 1933 – 1934 — Demonstrations: AEC “Q” (Dec 1933); Foden DDG6 diesel double‑decker (Mar 1934, extended stay); Leyland TD3c; Crossley “Mancunian” in market.  Transport Committee invites tenders January 1934 for two 20‑seat buses and one double‑decker.
• 1934 — Two Bedford WLB 20‑seat buses (Nos.  23 – 24) with Duple front‑entrance bodies delivered; one later image shows repainted condition with only legal lettering.
• 1934 — November: Leyland TD3 (No.  25, Massey body) enters service.
• 1935 — 30 September: Mayfield Road service inaugurated (operating via St Chad’s Hamlet to city boundary at Saughall Road junction).
• 1936 — May: Three Leyland TD4c (Nos.  26 – 28, Massey six‑bay bodies) delivered.  Route extensions: Christleton → Littleton; West View → Sandy Lane Ring Road junction.  New services: General Station → Huntingdon; → Green Lane via Frodsham Street.
• 1938 — October: AEC Regents Nos.  29 – 30 (East Lancs bodies) delivered; first in the fleet with route number blinds.
• 1939 — May: AEC Regent oil‑engined Nos.  31 – 34 (Massey bodies with streamlining) delivered with route‑number indicators (later standardised post‑war).
• 1939 — August: Two Leyland TD5c (Nos.  35 – 36) with metal‑framed Leyland bodies delivered immediately before declaration of war.