Bus Routes through Somercotes
by SLHS on
Wednesday 27 April 2016
During the 20th century two main bus companies ran their services through Somercotes. Its position made it ideal to service the Alfreton to Nottingham and Alfreton to Derby routes as well as one to Hucknall.
TRENT MOTOR TRACTION CO LTD
The Trent Motor Traction Co Ltd serviced the route from Alfreton to Derby which ran through Somercotes via the High Street and through to Swanwick and Ripley.
The company was founded in October 1913 and commenced operating a bus service between Derby and Ashbourne. In November 1913 a second service commenced to Stapleford. By 1925 services were operating from Derby, Loughborough and Nottingham. It is believed that the Alfreton to Derby route via Somercotes would have operated fairly early in their history, around 1925. The same route is still run today, although after several changes in the companies structure it is now called Trentbarton.
Photo: Trentbarton Bus at Alfreton Bus Station
MIDLAND GENERAL OMNIBUS CO.
The Midland General Omnibus Co was founded by Balfour Beatty Co and was incorporated on 19 June 1920. The company started its public bus services about two years later. Originally, the company was called the General Omnibus Co, but changed its name after a merger with the Midland Bus Company of Kimberley, Nottinghamshire.
Two routes from Alfreton to Nottingham and one to Hucknall were operated by the Midland General Omnibus Co, both travelling via Somercotes.
B3 – The B3 service operated from about 1930 to 1972 (it ran as the B3 from 1938). The route ran from Alfreton and followed the B600 through Somercotes, Lower Somercotes and Pye Bridge, through to Nottingham. In 1972, Midland General merged with Trent and the designation changed. This route is still operated today by Trentbarton.
C5 – The C5 service operated from about 1930 to 1972 (running as the C5 from 1938). The route ran from Alfreton along the B600 into Somercotes and then took the High Street, travelling through Leabrooks, Riddings and Jacksdale. In 1972, Midland General merged with Trent and the designation changed. This route is still operated today by Trentbarton.
PHOTO: Midland General C5 at Mount Street Bus Station, Nottingham
C9 – This service also operated from about 1930 to 1972 (like the other service, it ran as the C9 from 1938). The route also ran via High Street, Leabrooks and Riddings through to Heanor and on to Hucknall. This route was also taken over by Trent after the merger of the two companies.
ADVERTISEMENT: An advert from the Derbyshire Times & Chesterfield Herald, published on 1 October 1937