<% @LANGUAGE = VBScript %> <% Dim UserName, Pin, RefID, lines, col_no RefID = clng(request.querystring("id")) dim backgroundcol strSQL = "SELECT * FROM tblSiteData WHERE tblSiteData.RefID = " & RefID rst1.open strSQL, strConnect, ado_Openkeyset, ado_LockOptimistic strSQL = "SELECT * FROM tblSiteSetup WHERE tblSiteSetup.RefID = " & RefID rst2.open strSQL, strConnect, ado_Openkeyset, ado_LockOptimistic%> Streamline History Pages

1936 to the present day

The first fleet of cars obtained for the Streamline Association.		 The first ranks that had a direct line to the Streamline office, were Oriental Place, Regency Square and East Street. Streamline Brighton and Streamline Hove were due to start operating on the same day but due to a licensing misunderstanding, the arrival of Streamline Brighton was delayed nearly three weeks until 4th November 1936.


Operations Commence

On the 7th October 1937 the first application was made to the Southern Railway Company for granting Streamline the monopoly to hire in Brighton Station. Streamline grew numerically and the business leaped ahead but they had many problems. One of the biggest problems that faced the Committee in the early months of 1938 was office accommodation. On 25th March Streamline moved into 20 Middle Street. There was room for telephone operators and a separate room for the manager. The cost, a frightening £60 per annum plus a further £10 for the use of a petrol pump.

In April, The Streamline Supply Company was formed by members of the Streamline Association for the sole purpose of providing and obtaining better trading terms for the repair and running costs of members' taxicabs.

At the Second Annual General Meeting on 2nd September 1938, it was reported that there were now 73 taxis in the Association making it one of the biggest fleets on the South Coast with incoming telephone calls in excess of 124,000 for the first year of operation. By the end of the year negotiations between Streamline and Moores of Brighton were completed for the delivery of a number of Standard Flying 14's. The cost of the car complete with cream bonnet and number plates were approximately £268.

 

The War Years

On 3rd September 1939, war was declared on Germany. The first setback for Streamline was the introduction of petrol rationing with the allowance a meagre ration of 20 gallons per car per month. Even after negotiations, only a further 50 gallons per car was awarded. Over the following few months over 40 journeymen drivers had either joined or been called up for service.

 
The wartime conditions brought with it many complaints from local authorities and the public over the lack of taxis operating. With petrol rationing, residents preferred to use a taxi rather than use their own ration. To overcome these problems an early morning and late night detail was formed. The morning details started at 6.15am and the night detail signed off at 3am but with such a shortage of petrol and manpower it created a shortage of taxis during the day. By the middle of 1941 an operator worked a good 50 hours, never receiving more than 5 shillings a week - Today's value, 25p.

In August 1941, with the motor industry were turning their output of private cars to wartime vehicles. This caused problems for the Committee to enforce the ruling that members must change their cars every two years, added to this the fact that every taxi had to be the same make. From this date it was agreed that the following vehicles were accepted: Standard's, Morris's, Wolseley's, Singer's, Austin's, all being of 12-16 H.P.

At the end of September 1945 one could say a chapter in the life of Brighton Streamline Association closed when they moved from 20 Middle Street to open up at 5 Clifton Hill. The property was purchased by Streamline Supply Co. whose shareholders were all members of the association.

 

On 31st August 1948 a coach party consisting of Owners, Drivers and the Hackney Carriage Inspector visited the Standard Motor Works in Coventry to inspect the new Vanguard that nearly everyone in Brighton was waiting for. The cost of the coach trip was 25 shillings per head.
By May 1949, the first 10 Vanguards were ready for collection, complete with a cream bonnet.

 

Streamline drivers parade their Vanguards in 1949

1952

After some sixteen years in business it is recorded for the first time that a driver in February 1952 was attacked by a customer and injured whilst carrying out his duties as a Cabbie. As the months went by, the struggle for new cars for members continued - lady telephone operators were introduced into the business - some members were making every effort to dispense with the two-way radio system - the Coronation of HM The Queen was declared a public holiday and the Streamline office was open for 24 hours for those who wished to work.

 

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