Mail Coach To Motorway Coach The Story Of Birch Brothers Limited

The Birch family road transport interests can be traced back to the late eighteenth century when they operated a mail-coach service in the Plymouth area. In 1810, William Birch moved to London and established a horse-cab business in 1846. The company then began building bodies for lorries and buses from 1887, becoming known for their innovative approach, such as introducing diesel engines in taxis in the early 1950s. From 1905 Birch became one of the pioneers of motorbus operation in London, although they reverted to using horse buses until ceasing bus operations in 1912. In 1933 they launched a successful express route between London and Bedford, later extending to Rushden and Kettering, in 1928. Although London Transport took over the London routes operated by Birch in 1934, between 1928 and 1966 the company acquired seventeen operators. These were run successfully until the late 1960s, when Birch sold out to United Counties.