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PASSENGER TRANSPORT
THE LATEST NEWS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS
" REDCAR " CLAIM AGAINST LONDON TRANSPORT SUCCEEDS.
THE London Passenger Transport Arbitration Tribunal has decided in favour of Redcar Services, Ltd., in connection with the company's claim against London Transport for compensation for the severance of a service and the limitation of another.
The Tribunal, of which Mr. Joshua Scholefield, KC., is chairman, has decided that the provisions of the London Passenger Transport Act concerning the transfer of vehicles, payment for them and compensation for severance are applicable to the company's case. The Tribunal considers that the Board is under an obligation to purchase three Redcar vehicles and to pay £2.020 for them and £2,240 for goodwill.
An award of £6,983 is being made as compensation for severance, the Tribunal considering that the company's claim of £17,176 was made on a wrong basis. The total claim exceeded £21,000.
When the Tribunal sat on Monday last, it was announced that the case of the Paterson Omnibus Co. had been settled by agreement.
Although there was some difficulty, the date of the commencement of the hearing of the claim of Thomas Tilling, Ltd., was fixed for May 28.
PERTH DEFERS OFFER.
ON Monday last, Perth Corporation decided to defer for a fortnight consideration of the offer of W. Alexander and Sons, Ltd., to take over the municipal transport system, paying a capital sum of £22,000 and £1,500 a year under a 21-year agreement. The offer would clear the debt on the old tramways undertaking. in March last, Perth ran 32 buses.
BLACKPOOL COACH OWNERS WIN HOUSE OF LORDS CASE.
THE case of two Blackpool coach owners, Mr. William Marshall (now deceased) and Mr. R. William Marshall, against Blackpool Corporation, was taken to the House of Lords, on Monday.
Originally, Messrs. Marshall appealed to Lancashire Quarter Sessions against the refusal of Blackpool Corporation to allow them to construct a vehicle crossing over a footpath into their premises. The Sessions allowed the appeal and the case was taken to the King's Bench Division.
Another appeal was made to the Appeal Court, which held that the Quarter Sessions were wrong on one point but right on another, and directed that the application should be reconsidered by the corporation.
In the House of Lords, Lord Atkin, sitting with Lord Warrington of Clyffe and Lord Thankerton, said that they considered the appeal by Messrs. Marshall should be allowed.
FIVE Q BUSES FOR LONDON.
COLLOWING upon the order for 150 oil-engined double-deckers, which will increase the fleet of oilers operated by London Transport to nearly 600, the Board has ordered five A.E.C. Q-type buses, of which four are doubledeckers and one a single-decker.
FURTHER STEPS TO OPPOSE " CONTRACT" AMENDMENT.
L-LTRTI-1.1-.7.R action is being taken by
Yorkshire Motor Coach Owners, Ltd., to press forward its opposition to the absence of control of fares for private-party work under the proposed amendments to the contract-carriage provisions of the Road Traffic Act.
Following the meeting of Yorkshire Associations, reported last week, the directors of Y.M.C.O. have decided to adopt three courses. They are to take up the matter with the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association and to invite all independent passenger-trans: port operators in Yorkshire, whether members of the Y.M.C.O. or not, to a mass meeting at which the Minister's proposed amendment will be discussed. An effort is to be made to secure the co-operation of Lancashire operators who are known to be opposed to no control of private-party fares.
BIG INTERWORKING SCHEME APPROVED IN WEST MIDLANDS.
Thuge co-ordination scheme of Associated Motorways (the names of the participating concerns were given in last week's issue) was last week considered by the West Midland Traffic Commissioners. Although not actually a constituent of Associated Motorways, Ribble Motor Services, Ltd., will cooperate in the arrangement.
Col. A. S. Redman, chairman of the Commissioners, expressed his approval of the scheme, but withheld a decision until the Western Traffic Commissioners had announced their decision. Actually, the Western Commissioners heard the applications Under the scheme on May 9, but adjourned them for a week.
It is anticipated that, during the peak of the season, approximately 600 coaches wilt eater Cheltenham daily. LANCS BOARD SCHEME NOT ABANDONED: HITCH THIS WEEK.
WE are informed by Mr. R. Stuart Vic Filcher, F.R.S.E., M.Inst.T., Manchester Corporation's transport manager, that there is no truth in the statement published in a daily newspaper to the effect that the proposal for the formation of a municipal transport board in south-east Lancashire and east Cheshire has been abandoned.
Mr. Filcher states that conferences on the subject are taking place between the interested authorities, and last week we announced the likelihood of a meeting at Accrington.
The proposed board received another setback on Tuesday, when Bury Corporation transport committee refused to participate. The reason given was that it was expected that considerable profits would be made in future year's arid these should be used to help the town and not go into a pool. So far, , only Manchester and Oldham support the scheme. Stockport, Leigh and Bury are in opposition to it, whilst several other towns are awaiting further surveys of the position.
LONDON TROLLEYBUS BILL.
A SELECT COMMITTEE of the .1-1. House of Gammons commenced to consider, last Tuesday, the London • Passenger Transport Board's Bill, against which there were originally 74 petitions, although this number had been reduced to about 30. The objections were centred mainly on particular routes on which it was proposed to run trolleybuses, and especially on the use of trolleybuses in Bedford Square and that part of Tottenham Court Road not served by trams.
Mr. Annesley Somerville, chairman, asked whether it was proposed to add trolleybuses to the existing motorbus services, and counsel replied that, if the proposal were put into effect, the motorbuses might be restricted.
KING'S CROSS COACH STATION NOT TO BE CLOSED.
A RUMOUR has been in circulation to the effect that, owing to a disagreement between the first mortgagees of the King's Cross Coaching Station and the company now operating the station, the latter is likely to be closed. We are authorized by Messrs. Perry and Bell. who are acting as sole agents for the first mortgagees, to state that arrangements are being made to ensure that the station will be carried on and that there will be no interruption in the service that it renders. DUBLININDEPENDENTS OBJECT TO TRANSFERS, A MEETING of representatives of 15 1-1. of the smaller bus companies in Dublin was held last week to discuss the proposed transfer of their licences to the larger undertakings under the provisions of the Irish Free State Road Transport Act, 1933. It was decided to appoint a deputation to wait on Mr. Sean Lemass, Minister of Industry and Commerce, to protest against the proposed transfers. The deputation will point out that should the transfers be made, immediate alternative employment must be provided for displaced workers. The Irish Free State Road Transport Act, the main portion of which came into operation on January 1, 1934, is based on the view that it is in the interests of the public that the railway, canal and tramway companies should be given an opportunity of occupying a predominant position in road transport. In Dublin there are 29 companies operating over 84 routes, 35 of which are under the control of the Dublin United Tramways Co. (1896), Ltd., which is seeking to obtain most of the 15 transfers under dispute.
RADIO FOR CROSVILLE COACHES.
SEVERAL of the coaches of Crosville Motor Services, Ltd., Chester, have .been equipped with radio receiving sets, which are also to be included in new ew bodies now on order. This decision is the result of tests that have been in progress during the past 12 months. In several of the Lancashire towns coach oach owners have adopted radio, it has been found that the-enterprise has been rewarded by increased bookings, especially as the facility is ve widely advertised and tends to make passengers feel that they get better value for money.
MIDDLESBROUGH DEMANDS LOCAL RECEIPTS.
hp settlement has been reached in I 'negotiations between Middlesbrough Transport Committee and West Hartlepool Corporation respecting the latter's proposal to run buses to Middlesbrough Exchange, via the Transporter Bridge, and to Middlesbrough, via the Tees Newport Bridge.
B40 It is understood that West Hartlepool Corporation is to apply to the Traffic Commissioners for a licence.
Middlesbrough Transport Committee has passed the following resolution on the matter :—" That in the event of consent by the Traffic Commissioners being granted . the Committee insists upon full tolls being paid . at the normal rate for the carriage of vehicles and passengers over the Transporter Bridge, with complete prohibition upon picking .up and setting down passengers, and subject to the fares in respect of passengers carried in the borough of Middlesbrough being handed over to the corporation."
LONDON TRANSPORT TO SEEK AMENDING ACT.
ONDON TRANSPORT proposes to LA apply to Parliament for permission to introduce a late Bill to vary the ger T London Passenger Act, 1933. Under the Act, the Board is required a to publish its annual accounts within two months of the close of the financial year and, under regulations, must
pay interest C stock within three
months of the end of the year. As it is unlikely that the proceedings before the Arbitration Tribunal will be June 30 next ( completed by Juwhen the companies con year closes), and negotiations concerning the pooling scheme with the mainline railway cocluded, the Board wishes to publish the first year's prepara tion on the date for the reparation of the accounts for the second financial year. In the meantime, the Board desires authority to anpay e, interest on the C stock, based on an estimate of the revenue for the year.
£14,000 STATION FOR WALSALL.
T" property committee of Walsall Corporation has approved plans for the provision of a bus station in St. Paul's Street, including shops, lavatories and offices, at a cost of £14,000.
CORPORATION BUYS SIX PRIVATE SERVICES.
F0110WING the purchase by Haddersfield Corporation of six bus services from Wilson Haigh, Ltd., Holmfirth, the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners have granted the transfer of the licences to Huddersfield Corporation and L.M.S. Railway Joint Omnibus Services.
NEW COMPANY TO RUN ACQUIRED BUS SERVICES.
WE understand that John's Motor W Transport Co., Ltd., Grovesend, has taken over the bus interests of Gorseinon and District Bus Co., Ltd,. Gowerton, near Swansea. The services on the routes to Llanrhidian and Penllergaer run by the acquired company will now be worked by a concern to be known as Gorseinon and District Bus Co., Ltd„ Grovesend. A new undertaking has been formed to run the acquired services, and Mr. James Lewis John is managing director, and Messrs. J. R. John, G. 0. John and W. L. John are directors. Mr. T. Jones, Grovesend, is the secretary.
OILERS TO REPLACE TRAMS AT OLDHAM?
IT isexpected that two further Old!. ham Corporation tram routes will shortly be converted to motorbus working, It is estimated that 31 oilengined double-deck buses will be required to provide an adequate service al. peak periods, the cost being £54,250, equal to a charge of about £11,845 a year for five years. The capital cost would, however, probably be offset by the reduced operating expenses and increased revenue. At Oldham, tramcar current .costs 1.988d. per car-mile, whereas the cost for fuel for an oil-engined doubledecker is estimated at .525d. per busmile, resulting in an estimated saving of £3,487 a year, based on an annual mileage of 572,000. Excluding fuel cost, an oil-engined bus is said to cost 24d. per mile less to run than a tram.
COUNTY COUNCIL OBJECTS TO LICENCE TRANSFER. wilIEN Halifax Corporation applied W to the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners for permission to run services over certain of the routes now operated by the Ripponden and District Motor Omnibus Co., West Riding County Council objected to one of the two applications, on the ground that many of the roads over which the buses would run were unsuitable for them. The Commissioners decided to inspect the roads before making a decision. There was no objection to the other application, which was granted. The corporation proposes to purchase the services' in respect of which the applica.tions were made.
MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS TO PETITION THE MINISTER. IT is understood that, when the 'Municipal Tramways and Transport Association holds its annual conference in Glasgow from June 27-29, the matter of the extension of municipal bus services within local authorities' boundaries will be considered.
Recently, Portsmouth Corporation was refused permission by the SouthEastern Traffic Commissioners to make such an extension, and similar decisions have been given elsewhere in the country, including Glasgow. According to Alderman Sir John Timpson, K.B.E., chairman of Portsmouth Tramways Committee, a resolution will be passed at the conference, requesting the Minister of Transport to assure local authorities that municipal bus operation within their boundaries would be dealt with in an equitable manner.
INTER-TOWN MUNICIPAL SERVICES.
MEWPORT (Mon.) Corporation proI 1poses to run buses to Tredegar Park, and has asked Cardiff Corporation to agree to the proposal.
In connection with the running of the Cardiff-Newport service, Cardiff Corporation pays Newport Corporation an annual fixed sum of £150, and the transport manager of the former authority has suggested that if Newport wished to extend to Tredegar Park, there should be a quid pro quo arrangement whereby Cardiff might be allowed to extend its service to Rodney Road, Newport, or to suspend further annual payments for the privilege of running in the Newport area.
BURY'S GOOD YEAR : LOSS 'TURNED TO PROFIT.
[WE are now able to supplement the YV figures given in last week's issue in respect of the past year's working of Bury Corporation's transport undertaking. During the first year of his management, Mr. C. P. Paige, A.M.Inst.T., was able to turn a loss of £4,500 into a net profit of £481.
During the year ended March 1931 last the total receipts amounted to £143,969, as against £143,162 a year earlier. Mainly as a result of the replacement of trams by buses, the tramways revenue decreased by £13,736 to £53,211, whereas the bus receipts increased by £14,543 to £90,758. An economy of £3,113 was effected in running expenses, which amounted to £106,220.
Of the total of 21,366,129 passengers carried on the whole transport system, 9,801,043 were conveyed by tram and 11,565,086 by bus, the total figure being an increase of 396,317 over the previous year's result.
BIG G.T.A. TOURS PROGRAMME.
ACOMPREHENSIVE programme of tours is announced by the General Travel Agency (London), Ltd. AllBritish Motor Tours are, of course, now run by Red and White Services. Ltd., and are known as Red and White All
British tours. They cover the larger part of Great Britain, and this year will be supplemented by a series of special trips to Blackpool, Torquay, Ilfracombe, Swansea and London. On these tours the passengers will make their centres at any of the points mentioned, from which day and half-day excursions will be run.
The popular Happy Valleys tours will again be organized, and will include trips to Chepstow, Hereford, Ross-onWye and Monmouth. Additional departure areas are to be arranged.
44 MORE TRAMS REPLACED AT NOTTINGHAM.
TROLLEYB'USES and motorbuses replaced 44 of Nottingham Corporation's tramcars last week-end, when two tram services were converted ,to trolleybus working and a circular route taken over by oil-engined double-deck motorbuses. There are now only three tram routes, which are worked by about 80 trams, and in September next it is hoped to convert one of these services to bus operation. Originally, Nottingham Corporation ran 200 trams.
MANCHESTER OPERATORS MEET BLACKPOOL OFFICIALS.
ADEPUTATION from the Manchester Coach Owners Association has met the chairman of the transport committee of Blackpool Corporation, town clerk, chief constable and transport manager, and discussed various matters connected with excursions and tours to Blackpool from other towns. The committee agreed with certain recommendations made by the town clerk, chief constable and transport manager as to the regulation of coaches coming into Blackpool.
YORKSHIRE BODY EXTENDS.
THE Yorkshire Stage Carriage Operators Association has extended its organization into Derbyshire, a part of which is in the Yorkshire Traffic Area, a branch having been formed at Chesterfield. Other branches formed during recent months are at Ripon, York and •Hemsworth, bringing the total of the Association's branches to 26. Headquarters are now at 52, Basinghall Street, Leeds, 1.
158,000 TROLLEYBUS PLAN FOR NEWCASTLE.
PARLIAIVIENTARY powers are to be sought by Newcastle-on-Tyne City Council to replace six miles of tram route by a trolleybus service.
Unless the trams were abandoned, it was stated, the city council would have to spend £90,000, during the next 10 years, oil tram-track renewals, The trams at present made an annual profit of over £6,000, whilst trolleybuses would earn about £14,000. Petrol and oil-engined buses would make about £7,000 each. Trolleybuses were therefore recommended.
It is understood that the council will purchase 29 trolleybuses at a cost of £58,000, which are expected to operate at 9.516d. per vehicle-mile. SIR H. PIGGOTT ON COMPANY. CORPORATION AGREEMENTS.
IMPORTANT comments on agreemen between operating companies and local authorities were made, a few
days ago, by Sir Henry Piggott, C.B., C.B.E., chairman of the South-Eastera, Traffic Commissioners. He referred to agreements reached between Hants and Dorset Motor Services, Ltd., and Southampton Corporation in 1931, between the company and Poole Corporation in 1928, with Poole and Bournemouth jointly in 1928, and with Bournemouth in 1930. • In effect, the agreement with Southampton Corporation provided that, so long as the company paid certain fees to the municipality, the latter would not oppose the company's applications for licences. Another provision was that, on certain routes, minimum fares of 4d. and 6d. should be charged.
Recently, the South-Eastern Commissioners refused an application by the company to vary fares in order to implement the provisions of the 10year agreement with the Southampton • authority.
Although the Commissioners did not for a moment believe that any undesirable consideration entered the agreement itself, remarked Sir Henry, a few days ago, the more they looked at it the less they liked it. Except the agreement with Bournemouth Corporation (which was eventually embodied in a local Act of Parliament), all the arrangements were stated to be of a private nature.
A representative of Southampton Corporation said that the agreement with that authority was verbal for some time prior to 1931. on which date it was placed in writing. The Commissioner who investigated it when it was drawn up had expressed satisfaction with it.
Sir Henry pointed out that the Commissioners were empowered JO disregard non-statutory agreements if these were thought not to be desirable in the public interest, although heed must be paid to provisions embodied in local Acts of Parliament.
The principle of protecting local services from sporadic competition from long-distance services had, he continued, always been accepted, but the Commissioners would have to be satisfied that protective fares were not provided merely as a means for subsidizing municipal rates.
He declared that, if an operator could afford to pay a large sum of money to a corporation for protection, it could do so only at the expense of the travelling public. He asked the Hants and Dorset concern to supply the Commissioners with a schedule of payments made or received under the various agreements.
MORE BUSES FOR TRAMS.
THE change-over from trams to buses on the Transporter Bridge-Linthorpe route of the Middlesbrough Corporation will take place early next month, when a five-minute .service will be operated.