This information board was produced by Stagecoach West for its Open Day on Saturday 6th November 2021 at its bus depot on the Cheyney Manor Industrial Estate. It has the following wording plus images of its buses over the past one hundred years:

1920s Where it all began

The Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company Limited opened in Swindon on 7 November 1921. 7 vehicles and 6 drivers and conductors operated out of the Goddary Arms Hotel Yard with the first services to Chippenham and Faringdon. In 1923 the company moved to Regent Circus and established a maintenance garage at Eastcott Road, where it remained in use until the 2000s.

1930s Expansion

By the mid 1930s services had expanded to serve Banbury, Lambourn, Wantage, Marlborough, Hungerford and Calne. At the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 an extensive network of services has been built up. However fuel rationing imposed reductions on services with some being suspended.

1940s Buses on the front line

The war years saw the start of several services to military bases around Swindon as well as numerous government contracts. During the 1940s buses were run during air raids and blackout conditions made night time driving hazardous with only two masked headlights allowed. With many men drafted into the armed forces there was increased recruitment of female staff. During and after the war, passenger numbers were at an all time high.

1950s Peacetime With the end of fuel rationing, the introduction of fridges and the increase of TVs a steady decline in passenger numbers started. In the mid-1950s new Setright Speed ticket machines were introduced replacing the old Bell Punch machines and ticket racks. In 1957 the Bristol Tramways and Carriage Company Ltd changed its name to the Bristol Omnibus Company. To encourage more leisure outings a 'Day Out' ticket was introduced in 1959 for travel on all services at 10/- (50p).

1960s Nationalisation

The new consumer economy prospered, with more cars and TVs continuing to reduce bus travel. Many rural services were run by one person where the driver not only drove the bus but took the fares and issued tickets. On 6 August 1967 a new bus station opened alongside Fleming Way, expected to be temporary, it lasted until the 1980s! On 1 January 1969 Bristol Omnibus Company became part of the National Bus Company and Swindon had 50 buses and 200 staff to run its services.

1970s The N.B.C era

Decimalisation occurred in 1971 causing all ticket machines to be modified within 24 hours. In 1972 N.B.C introduces its standard bus livery - leaf green with a white stripe which Swindon vehicles adopted. In the mid-1970s the three day week and fuel price increases caused rapidly rising costs and many fare increases which reduced the number of passengers. To offset this more one person operated buses were introduced, now including double deckers on more intensive urban routes.

1980s New name

1983 The Bristol Omnibus Swindon branch was transferred to a new company, Cheltenham & Gloucester Company, operating under the name Swindon and District. In 1986, all the assets were transferred to a new legal entity, Western Travel.

1990s Stagecoach Group

Western Travel is absorbed into the Stagecoach Group as Stagecoach Swindon in 1993.

2000s Major rebrand

Major national rebrand for Stagecoach. Stagecoach engages Ray Stenning of Best Impressions and launches the iconic 'beach ball' brand identity replacing the previous 'stripes' livery. It continues with the same red, orange, blue and white theme.

2010s Investment A £3.2 million purpose-built facility at Cheyney Manor Industrial Estate is built in 2016 on the site of the old Plessey Social Club and replaces the old and very restricted Stagecoach garage site on Eastcott Hill in Old Town. 2017 - Contactless payments launched on bus across Stagecoach West. 2018 £6.25m invested in 25 new buses for interurban Services 55 & S6, connecting Swindon with Chippenham and Oxford. The new vehicles meant that one third of the Swindon depot fleet conform to the latest Euro 6 emissions level.

2020s What's happening now

January - Stagecoach unveils new brand to simplify, modernise and enhance its customer experience. A new colour palette is introduced with three livery designs to distinguish between 'local', 'express' and 'special' services. March- The Covid Pandemic hits leading to reduced timetables and services across the county whilst ensuring that critical routes are maintained wherever possible. Social distancing and increased safety measures follow.