NOVEL FEATURES IN NEW TROLLEYBUSES
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LONDOLONDON'S 120 new trolleybuses are N'S be equipped with low-voltage batteries, which will enable the vehicles to operate, in emergencies, independently ot overhead wires: We are informed that ,the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., has already produced two test vehicles of this type, but the machines for London Transport will be the first production models. Two 24-volt batteries are coupled to the main motor and, on test, an A.E.C. trolleyhus equipped in this manner has travelled about 700 yds. at.a speed of 4-5 m.p.h., and made two reverses, without exhausting the batteries. We understand that the Associated Equipment Co., Ltd., also proposes to incorporate emergency traction batteries in some new trolley buses for Newcastle. Leyland Motors, Ltd., states that the 68 trolleybuses which it is to snpply to London Transport will incorporate electric braking systems, in addition to the usual power braking, and "runback preventers," which preclude the possibility of vehicles exceeding a speed of 2 m.p.h. in a backward direction. A coasting brake prevents the bus from travelling at more than 6 m.p.h. when descending a gradient of 1. in 10, the operation of this brake being interlocked with the power brake, so that power can be applied only after the vehicle has been brought to rest. It is claimed that the emergency batteries have a range of two miles.
PURCHASE OF LICENCES ALLEGED.
AN application by the West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., for permission to take over seasonal express services and excursions and tours from Messrs. A. F. Keeling and Sons, of Leeds, met with opposition, so far as the excursions and tours were concerned, at a sitting of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, on Monday. The objectors were members of the Yorkshire Motor Coach Owners .Assoelation, and Mr. Samuel Ledgard, of Leeds, who argued that, as the West Yorkshire company was not purchasing Messrs. Keeling's vehicles or premises, it was not taking over the excursion and tour business and the goodwill, but was really buying the licences.
The West Yorkshire concern conB42
tended that it was purchasing the excursions and tours business and the goodwill. The Commissioners reserved their decision.
EXPRESS-SERVICE MONOPOLY FOR MAIDSTONE CO.
THE last independent operator of express services in the territory of Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., with the exception of the Hastings route, is transferring its LondonSheerness service to the Maidstone concern. The company in question is Midland Comfy Coaches, Ltd.
LONDONYORKSHIRE SERVICES CO-ORDINATED.
ON Sunday next, March 17, there will be three departures from Victoria Coach Station, London, to the Midland and Yorkshire districts, as a result of the co-ordination of coach services operated by the Yorkshire and East Midland group of companies, and
the absorption by these concerns of the London, Midland and Yorkshire services.
Direct connections will be provided at Barnsley for Bradford, Keighley, Halifax, Huddersfield and Hull. There will be another route operated daily to Bradford, via Leicester, Nottingham and Barnsley, and a third daily service via Northampton, Leicester, Nottingham and Worksop, with direct connections at Doncaster for Dewsbury, Huddersfield, Halifax and Bradford.
TRAMWAYS ABANDONMENT FOLLOWS SCOTTISH MERGER.
THE tramways in Dunfermline and
Falkirk, operated by subsidiary concerns of the Fife Power and Light Co., will shortly be superseded by bus services. This development is the sequel to the recent £281,000 deal, by which the Scottish Motor Traction Co., Ltd., took over the entire share capital of the Fife Power and Light Co., the Dunfermline Tramways concern, and the Falkirk and District Traction Co. The S.M.T. is expected to take over control in a few days.
COUNCILS TO APPEAL AGAINST MONOPOLY
THE South Wales Traffic Commis1 sioners have decided to permit the Western Welsh Omnibus Co., Ltd., to take over licences from Mr. W. T. Jones and Mr. F. John, in respect of services from Bridgend to Ogmore Valley and Maesteg. The Commissioners will make a statement on their decision at a sitting at Bridgend in April. As reported in our issue dated March 1, Ogmore and Gar w and Maesteg Urban District Councils strenuously opposed the applications, on tha ground that the W.W.O.C. would secure a monopoly. The Ogmore and Garw authority decided, on Monday night, to appeal against the Commissioners' decision and to establish a municipal bus service. Maesteg and Bridgend Urban District Councils and ,Penybont Rural District Council have agreed to the principle of a joint transport board for mid-Glamorgan, and are to be represented at a conference of local authorities on the subject.
LONDON COMPANY CLAIMS £340,000 COMPENSATION.
rOMPENSATION to the extent of k.sZ340,000 in cash, with certain othqr provisions, is being claimed by the Premier Omnibus Co., Ltd., in respect of the transfer of its business to London Transport. The London Passenger Transport Arbitration Tribunal commenced, last week, to hear the claim, which includes indemnity against damages through the breach of contracts, the cost of reinvesting the amount claimed, and interest on £340,000, from the date of transfer, at the rate of 4 per cent., or any higher figure upon which the Tribunal might agree. Sir Stafford Cripps, K.C., for the company, said that the business was founded in 1922, and that the case would be considered apart from that of the Premier Line, a subsidiary of the omnibus concern. He added that the main objection to the Board's offer was not in connection with the figure, but as to whether the three managing directors should be regarded as persons drawing an income from the undertaking, or as transferred servants. The case was continued on Tuesday of this week.