Urban and Rural Transport

London: Ian Allan Ltd. Very Good/Very Good. 1981. First Edition. Hard Cover. Dimensions: 23.6 x 18.2 x 2 cm 0711010560 Dust jacket complete, unclipped. Original cloth boards with bright gilt titling on spine. No ownership marks. Photographs. 188 pages clean and tight. Urban and Rural Transport has been written to meet the needs of students who have entered the transport industry with a view to specialising in bus operation - a subject which has never been over-endowed with basic text books which give overall coverage and provide introductory reading. Whilst much interesting literature on buses and trams is readily available, it is written for the enthusiast rather than the serious student and for academic purposes is little more than a pleasant background material. The works of R. S. Pilcher and L. D. Kitchin, both experts in their day, have long since been dated, W. T. Lambden's Bus and Coach Operation no longer reflects current developments and sadly he did not live to prepare a revision. Mr Lambden's untimely passing has meant a loss to the industry of a wise counsellor; to the student a source of knowledge and the written word and to the present author a personal friend. His departure from this world has left a gap in transport literature. Although few text books on the subject have been written, some names have just been mentioned, high standards have been set and it is never easy to follow in the footsteps of the masters; far less to emulate them. Nevertheless, life must go on and there is a need by those who are seeking a career `on the buses' for the gap to be filled. At the risk of being presumptuous, therefore, it can be said that this book has been written for that very purpose and it is hoped that the pages which follow will give some help and guidance to transport students. It is further hoped that those not engaged directly in operations but are `out on the wings', being staff of county councils who whilst not themselves in the business of running buses do have responsibility for broad policy control over the services provided, will also derive benefit and their particular requirements have not been overlooked. .