YORK'S PROPOSED MUNICIPAL GARAGE.
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Arguments Put Forward by the Tramways Manager Support a Scheme to Centralize Bus and Tram Organizations.
1•1111E tramways manager of York J_ Corporation reported to the transport committee that the city engineer has prepared a plan of the proposed new garage at Fulford, estimated to cost 19,000 for buildings and r110,000 complete with petrol pumps, lifts, washing
plants, etc. The present garage at Piccadilly has accommodation for only 24 vehicles. In a very short time, when extensions to the bus fleet have been made, the acquisition of further garaging space will have to be considered. There is no land available,at Piccadilly for the purpose of extension, and the tramways manager recommends the erection, on the lines of the plan submitted, of a garage on the vacant ground at Fulford, where the tram depot is. The garage would have accommodation for 50 vehicles.
There are many points in favour of establishing the garage at Fulford, the main features being the chances for securing centralization and sound supervision. At the present.time there are no means for thoroughly overhauling a vehicle at Piccadilly garage, and all machine work has to be taken to Pafford. If a bus requires a small repair, such as the painting of a damaged panel, or the replacing of a window, fitters, joiners and painters have to proceed from Fulford to carry out the work at Piccadilly, which entails a great loss of time. The same applies to eleCtrical work, whilst stores,
which are all received at Fulford, have ' to be taken daily to Piccadilly.
When buses are passing out for duty an inspector has to be present to see that drivers and conductors leave with their vehicles at the scheduled time. The tramways manager pointed out that he and the works superintendent spend a considerable amount of time in going to and from Piccadilly to make essential daily examinations.
Anticipating a possible apprehension as to whethe7 the extra mileage run to the Pulford depot may not be against the scheme, he asserts that this factor is ontbalanced by the economies i that will be made by the elimination of wasteful journeys between the two depots, as well as by the reduction of the cleaning staff.
The transport manager emphasizes the fact that, in the near future, it will be necessary to increase the fleet of buses, and that in the present circumstances he would have no garage accommodation for. extra vehicles, which would, therefore, have to stand in. the
open air. Following receipt of the report the committee has re-submitted its recommendation that it be authorized to obtain tenders . for the erection of the new garage at Milford.
In many other cities and towns the advantages of centralization have already been proved ; the initial outlay upon new premises has often been saved within a few years and rates have been reduced.