Dial defectives
Page 28
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I see that recent criticism of the lack of suitable British chassis for intensive minibus work is parelleled by American experience. In the report (No. 95UC) by the TRRL on Dial-a-ride in North America there is a section devoted to the shortcomings of the vehicles which have been tried.
Brakes and transmission systems come in for the most criticism on the score of unreliability and short lives, while suspension qualities are a common cause of complaint. Achieved brake lives average about 8,000 miles, though in Grand Rapids the figure was 4,000, suggesting that the name is all too appropriate.
Converted light vans, converted trucks and camping vehicles, and purpose-built minibuses all come in for some stick in the report; but it paints another side to •the picture when it records that some of the unreliability stemmed from lack of preventitive maintenance. In one fleet where repair rather than prevention was the rule, 18 vehicles had to be owned in order to keep 13 on the road.
Constructive as well as critical, the report publishes three recommended specs for Dial-a-ride work, of which some salient features are: automatic transmission and power-assisted brakes and steering; 10 to 16 seats; an 18in bottom entrance step; air suspension; a length under 25ft and straightline depreciation of 4 to 5 cents a mile.
Cyclone Colleen?
In Australia cyclones are no longer to be named after women — as a gesture in Women's International Year. In Belfast, conductors and drivers at Smithfield burned their union cards — as a protest against an agreement between the Municipal and General Workers Union and Ulsterbus that women drivers could be employed in the future.
Listen!
In the long-established formula of a dinner-dance plus business speeches due for an overhaul? Increasingly it seems to me that the mixture of business and pleasure is no longer appreciated by trade association audiences, and if confirmation were needed the R HA's Met and South Eastern dinner on Monday at the Grosvenor provided it.
This is always one of the most enjoyable events in the haulage social calendar, and this year's was no exception, but the torrent of conversation which almost drowned the principal speaker was not merely discourteous but a suggestion that the audience was not interested in having its drinking, dancing and discussion interrupted by the serious side of life.
National chairman Ken Hatcher was speaking well, on an important topic, but it took some very forceful intervention by the MC to bring some sections of the audience to a semblance of silence.
There's a case, I think, for all trade associations to have a stag "do" for serious matters and a social dinnerdance at which the only speeches (if any) are unashamed entertainment Not that Ken Hatcher's remarks were without a lighter side. I liked his throwaway comment that the continued existence of Wedgie Benn only demonstrated the ineffectiveness of Ken Hatcher's power of thought.
Wrapped up
Heard a nice true story at the R HA Met area dinner last week. A parcels van driver returned to his van to pick up his delivery sheet, which he'd forgotten when setting off with his parcels for one shop, and felt his van rock. Thinking someone had run into him, he nipped round the back, to see three men going through his load.
He slammed the shutter down and locked it, drove to the nearest police station and parked the van in their yard. When he reported to the desk sergeant that he'd seen three men going over his load the sergeant wetted his pencil and asked for descriptions.
Collapse of stout party when van driver replied: "Come out into your yard and get them for yourself!"
Preserver wanted
Is there a well disposed haulier or coach operator in the Herts/ Essex area who can offer space (at a reasonable rental) to Provincial 35 Preservation Group, who have Bedford-Duple coach for which they seek a protecting roof?
A call to D. H. Whitaker at Waltham Cross 27869 will provide details of the need. But let me add that I can't use this column as a regular medium for such appeals.