CHESTER CONSIDERING MUNICIPAL BUSES.
Page 26
Page 27
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
A Suggestion for Hiring Buses for Six Months in Order to Conduct Experiments and Ascertain Their Suitability for Service in the City.
HESTER Corporation is still debat ing_the pros and cons of the question of establishing a municipal motorbus service, and, since the tramways track is in a bad state .of repair, the tramways committee has crystallized its views on the inauguration of an experimental bus service in the form of a recommendation to council. This has been provocative of lively controversy.
The local Chamber, of Trade has voiced its opposition to the venture on the ground that it would involve an unwarrantable interference with private enterprise outside the borough, where ample facilities are already provided to meet the requirements of the public. The Chamber suggested that, in the interests of the ratepayers and traders, 't is unadvisable to deal with the serious problem of internal transport piecemeal, but that the matter should be considered as a whole when the tramway becomes obsolete.
When the matter came before the council the tramways committee directed attention to a previous report by the tramways manager, who advised that the municipality should hear in mind its own powers for operating motor omnibuses inside and outside the city ; should carefully consider the question of extending the present tramway services by instituting motor omnibus services in connection therewith, and shOuld also particularly point out to all applicants for motor' omnibus licences or renewals of licences what are the intentions of the corporation in regard to the exercise of the powers which it possesses in this respect. He stated that if the tramways committee commenced to run a motor omnibus service to one of the outlying districts in prolongation of the tramway route, it would obtain valuable experience of the "feeder" properties of motor omnibus services.
He added that the experience of authorities in other districts had shown motor omnibus services operated in the manner suggested to have had the effect of converting non-paying tram routes into paying routes; to have added enormously to the value of the tramway undertaking and assisted in many ways to improve the travelling facilities which tramways can offer. He estimated the total cost of running a service for six months by 26-seater buses, between Hoole Road, Handl3ridge, and Eaton Road, on the basis of 45;000 miles at 10.23d. per bus-mile, at i1,918.
The tramways committee, after considering quotations from three motor manufacturers, recommended that (1) a contract be entered into with the Guy Motors, Ltd., of Wolverhampton, for the hire of three 26-seater low load-line drop-frame omnibuses on pneumatic tyres, for a period of six months ; and (2) application be made to the watch (special) sub-committee for licensing and regulation of public-service vehicles for licences to ply for hire with the three motor omnibuses upon the route Auggested."
In submitting the proposition to the council the chairman of the tramways committee urged that the time had now conic for the tramways undertaking to exercise the powers it had acquired to run motorbuses and to organize an experimental service. The proposed route is just under 24e. miles, and it is computed that if a 15minute service be run from each terminus from Monday to Friday, .a 10minute service on Saturday, and a 30minute service on Sunday the total distance run in six months will be approximately 45,000 Miles. It was stated that the trite] costs would be less than 10.23d. per bus-mile and that five passengers per mile at 2d. each, or seven at 10., or ten at Id. would provide .a surplus'. In the tramway manager's report, dated November, 1924, a detailed estimate of the approximate cost of running a.bus service was given at 9.55d. per bus-mile. On account of an increase in the cost of the vehicle and in tyres, the figure now estimated is 10.23d. per bus-mile, which is considered on the high side.
It was further stated that Lytham and St. Alines Corporation ran a fleet of 12 25-seater Guy buses• in 1924 at an average total cost of 8.593d., whilst Yarmouth was running 30-seater buses of the same type at 9d. per bus-mile.
The matter was referred back to the tramwnys committee in order that further financial details might be submitted to the council.