Early Luton-Hitchin-Letchworth bus (for illustration purposes only)

Over 80,000 passenger were carried during1915 on the Luton to Hitchin and Luton to Barton motor bus service. This statement was made at the Luton Tribunal on Thursday [June 29th, 1916] in support of a claim made for a motor bus driver who was stated to be the only man capable of continuing the service with the exception of the manager's son, who is joining up directly without being appeal for.

The man drives to Hitchin daily and to Barton also on Saturdays, and although there was a foreman at the works who could take on the Barton journeys on Saturdays he could not do the other because the route was not a fit task for an ineligible man. It required a very skilful and alert driver on the Hitchin Road, especially at nights, when he had got the lives of 20 to 30 people in his charge.

"We want more buses on," said the manager, "but we can't get the drivers. The London Omnibus Company have got 150 buses without drivers, and they are offering 10 shillings a day and can't get one."

The driver was exempted on the grounds of public utility.

[The Luton Reporter: Monday, July 3rd, 1916]