United Automobile Services

Sunday 23 July 1972 – The United Automobile Services garage in Pickering, North Yorkshire. The property stands next to the Royal Oak pub and has been occupied by a carpet retailer in recent times.

Sunday 17 June 1973 – United Automobile Services 2615 (2615 HN), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol MW new May 1961 as fleet number BU615, seen in Richmond.

Thursday 24 July 1975 – United Automobile Services 1226 (HHN 726D), an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol RELH new April 1966 as fleet number RE26, seen leaving the bus station in Doncaster operating National Travel service 352.

Saturday 5 Aug 1978 - United Automobile Services 645 (OCS 585H) seen in Scarborough. It is an Eastern Coachworks bodied Bristol VR that had been new to Western SMT in Scotland as their number 2255 in November 1969.

Friday 9 November 2012 (0909) - The former United Automobile Services garage in Vernon Road, Scarborough later passed to the ownership of East Yorkshire Motor Services/Scarborough and District when the National Bus Company reorganised the United/EYMS operating areas. The garage was unusual in its construction in that it was built on a hill. There was a lower floor garage area which could only accommodate single deckers which was accessed down the hill (visible on the right of the photograph). This view shows what was the (only) entrance/exit door to the main floor through which both double and single deck vehicles could pass. The maintenance area and washing facilities were located on this level. By the early 1990s the building had become a car park run by the Palm Court Hotel. In addition to the parking area on the main floor a mezzanine parking level was added to almost double the parking capacity. The floor of that second level stands behind the beam with the word ‘Parking’.

Thursday 11 August 1994 – The former United Automobile Services Valley Bridge Bus Station in Scarborough. The clock on the wall would have heralded the departure of thousands of buses and coaches in its time. Once the vast bus operating area of United stretched from the Scottish Borders down to Bridlington and the company had a garage and bus station in Scarborough. The company also operated the town bus service network. When the National Bus Company re-organised the Scarborough area services during the latter part of the NBC era United’s services passed to East Yorkshire Motor Services/Scarborough & District. The United presence in Scarborough then became quite limited. The three large bus companies that served Scarborough which became NBC owned (East Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and United) once had their own separate bus stations in the town. The bus services that remain today use kerbside bus stops.

Friday 12 August 1994 (approx. 1715) – United Automobile Services 4021 (L421 FHN), an Optare Delta bodied DAF new in August 1993, loading in Somerset Terrace, Scarborough for the evening return of ‘Seaside Flyer’ service X62 to Esh Winning (County Durham) – a journey of about 80 miles. I believe this was a day trip type service operating into Scarborough around mid-day returning in the late afternoon. Once upon a time the vast operating area of United stretched from the Newcastle area down to Bridlington and the company had a garage and bus station in Scarborough. The company operated the town bus service network. When the National Bus Company re-organised the Scarborough area services during the latter part of the NBC era United’s services passed to East Yorkshire Motor Services. The United presence in Scarborough then became quite limited.

Friday 12 August 1994 (approx. 1715) – United Automobile Services 4021 (L421 FHN), an Optare Delta bodied DAF new in August 1993, loading in Somerset Terrace, Scarborough for the evening return of ‘Seaside Flyer’ service X62 to Esh Winning (County Durham) – a journey of about 80 miles. I believe this was a day trip type service operating into Scarborough around mid-day returning in the late afternoon. Once upon a time the vast operating area of United stretched from the Newcastle area down to Bridlington and the company had a garage and bus station in Scarborough. The company operated the town bus service network. When the National Bus Company re-organised the Scarborough area services during the latter part of the NBC era United’s services passed to East Yorkshire Motor Services. The United presence in Scarborough then became quite limited.