With power sockets and WiFi on the latest city buses, we look at how public transport has developed over the years

IN THEIR day, they were state of the art. The Leyland buses, which could travel at 12mph and with the banner "Corporation Motors" proudly painted down their sides, operated on routes in the city centre back in the 1920s.

It was the early days of motorised transport – and of the electric trams – but the two services ran in smooth conjunction.

Improvements were continual – in 1925, just a few years after our main picture was taken, many more buses were running on pneumatic tyres and the smoother ride was so popular that it was agreed that pumped-up wheels would became standard.

The changes have never stopped. The latest innovation, as revealed in the News, is that passengers on the new airport buses will be able to watch their luggage on a live TV feed. It is one of the features of the 14 new Airlink buses being rolled out by Lothian Buses.

The new vehicles also feature electrical sockets, free on-board WiFi, and leather seat covers.

The 1920s might not have been able to offer anything quite so whizzy but city transport chiefs did ensure the Capital was at the cutting edge of omnibus technology.

In 1922, two AEC open-top double-deck buses arrived – even though there were several routes they couldn't take, including the Mound, due to either steep hills or low bridges. It would be 1933 before travellers were treated to the luxury of the first covered double decker, which ran between Surgeon's Hall and Craigmillar.

In 1925 all-night services were introduced, which proved popular with Friday night dancers.

From 1939 to 1945, innovations tended to be more in line with helping the war effort than advancing passenger comfort – buses had to run with sidelights only and an emergency timetable was brought in with reduced services to save fuel.

In the post-war period, buses enjoyed their heyday as the popularity of the trams declined – they finally stopped running in 1956. By then there was a city bus network covering more than 118 miles. The models and looks of the buses have changed many times over the years but in whatever guise, from specially decorated play buses to cup-winners' carriages, buses have continued to be a familiar sight on the streets of the city.