Operating Aspects of
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Passenger Transport
BRISTOL'S LAST TRAMS NEAR THEIR END
AREPORT of the transport committee of Bristol City Council makes it known that the fourth and final stage of tramways abandonment in the city will be carried out so soon as assurances are forthcoming that fuel supplies will be available. It is made known that the tramways are operating at a loss, because of big overheads, and it is becoming more and more difficult to secure replacement parts to enable the system to be efficiently maintained. The city was one of the first to adopt electric trams, having put vehicles of this type into service in 1895.
CHANGES IN LONDON TRANSPORT'S ORGANIZATION CONSEQUENT upon the retirement of Mr. Frank Pick from the London Passenger Transport Board, a number of changes in organization has been made, and that of most interest to our readers concerns the department of the general manager (operation), of which Mr. T. E. Thomas is now the head. lie will be responsible for the operation of the whole of the Board's services. Following the introduction of the new organization, a number of new appointments has been made, including that of Mr. J. B. Burnell as divisional superintendent (central buses), in succession to Mr. I. Macalpine, who has resigned.
ABERDEEN PLANS TO FILL THE GAPS
AT Aberdeen, the municipal transport department is training another big batch of men as drivers and conductors to replace the gaps created by the further calling up of employees to the Forces. So far 234 men have been called up. Since the beginning of the war 146 men have been trained and brought into the service as drivers and conductors, 'and whilst this • number is fewer than the total of employees called up it is sufficient for present needs in view of the• curtailment of the bus services.
LIVERPOOL PURCHASES LONDON BUSES
WE learn that Liverpool hasnow VV actually purchased some 60 used double-deckers from London, but these were not bought direct, having been obtained through the Millburn Garage, of Preston and Glasgow, which secured a total of over 100 from London Transport.
DEVON BUS COMPANY'S GOOD RESULTS
IN 1939, the Devon General Omnibus land Touring Co., Ltd., made a profit of £64,930, compared with £59,170 in the previous year. The reserve account receives £25,000 and the employees' account £2,000, whilst an ordinary dividend of 10 per cent., plus a bonus of 2k per cent., is to be paid. The amount carried forward is £17,355, compared with £14,924 brought in.
CINEMAS BENEFIT FROM LATER BUSES
IT has been decided by WolverhampIton Transport Committee that all trolleybus services from the town will run until 11 p.m. It has been unable to alter the times of the motorbus services, which will be maintained to the present schedule, owing ti the fuel rationing. As a.result of the decision, all cinemas in the centre of the town will return to their pre-war times of showing. The new times, however, are to be in operation only throughout the summer months.
PARKING CHARGES FOR RACE MEETINGS
WE are advised, that National Car W Parks, Ltd., controls all the car parks at Newbury Racecourse, and that, at the Derby on June 12 and the Oaks on the subsequent day, the following charges have been fixed for buses and coaches :—Derby Day:— Double-deck buses, £10 10s.; single. deck coaches, £5 10s.; coaches not used to view the racing, 10s. Oaks Day :— Double-deck buses, £9; single-deck coaches, 44 10s.; coaches not used for viewing the racing, 5s. All operators of vehicles, whether for parks from which occupants can see the racing, or for other parks, can book spaces in advance by applying to the company at 66, Wood Lane, London, W.12. The latest day of acceptance for advance booking is June 6. There is no extra charge for booking.
STAGGERED HOLIDAYS TO EASE PEAK LOADS
PEAK demands made on roadtransport services at the annual Glasgow Fair Holiday, in July, will be eased this year as a result of a proposal to stagger holidays. The announcement by the Ministry of Supply, ordering the spread-over of holidays for Ordnance Factory workers between May and October, will probably be followed by shipyards, engineering works, and other factories engaged on Government work adopting a similar. arrangement. With both road and rail services curtailed owing to the war, the exodus which usually occurs at the Fair Holiday, when over 1,000,000 people leave the city, would be almost impossible to handle adequately, so that workers will thus benefit from a spread-over by obtaining infinitely better travelling facilities.