In November 1922, several North Carolina newspapers ran headlines announcing a new bus service linking two major commercial centers. Asheville’s Kenilworth Transportation Company (later known as the Asheville Transportation Company) had plans for a route between that city and Charlotte the following spring. Property near the intersection of South Market and Beaumont streets in Asheville was acquired for the construction of a three-story brick passenger station and terminal.

Two vehicles, the Miss Asheville and the Miss Charlotte, could carry up to 21 passengers each on the 127-mile trip. At a cost of $11,000 each, the new vehicles were on the cutting edge of luxury and comfort. “Both busses are appointed with brown grain leather upholstering and the inside appearance is that of a Pullman car.” While similar busses were in use from routes between New York and Boston and New York and Montreal, it was believed that Miss Asheville and Miss Charlotte were “the only machines of their kind in the south,” and as such, “attracted a good deal of attention.”

Service got under way in May 1923, with a special promotional excursion provided for newspapermen and members of the press. Upon their arrival, Asheville’s Col. E. G. Hester and son Harvey Hester, who owned the busses, treated the press party to a surprise reception at the Kenilworth Inn.

The route’s itinerary included Hendersonville, Chimney Rock, Rutherfordton, Forest City, Shelby, Kings Mountain, and Gastonia. The sojourn took seven hours and cost $7.00 one way.