Mass public road transport became a reality in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Before this time the roads were in a dreadful state, making mass transport an impossibility. The only form of public transport had been the stage and mail coaches that commuted between towns and cities. They carried few passengers and were expensive to use, so that most people could not afford to travel any distance.

People’s expectations changed with the coming of the railways, so that when affordable trams appeared in the late nineteenth century, they were well used, and had a great impact on people’s lives. For the first time everyone could easily shop or socialise in other towns, and commute to work.

The story of public transport is told in the following parts:
  

To be continued.