Passenger-Vehicle Topics.
Page 13
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Motorbus Statistics.
The total number of licensed buses in service on the London streets last week was 2155. This shows an increase for the month of Z17. Over 500 new buses have been licensed since January last. Some 220 route-miles are now served daily, and 265 on Sundays.
The Traffic Rivals.
The L.C.C. tramway receipts, for the week ended the 17th inst_,. were 244,213, compared with 245,401, for the corresponding week of 1911; the L.G.O.C. receipts, for the week ended the 27th inst.. were 259,881, compared with 241,658 for the corresponding week of 1911. The L.C.C. decrease is £1188; the L.G.O.C. gain is £18,223.
Undue Use by L.C.C.
The use of trailers behind L.C.C. tramcars, and of L.C.O. tramcars coupled together, may be sanctioned by Parliament before this paragraph reaches the hands of our supporters. We have helped in the resistance that has been offered, and the difficulties that were encountered may be gathered from the summary on page 486.
Reduced Tram rares.
In order to cope with increased competition and continual loss of revenue, the L.C.C. has resolved to introduce cheaper fares on some of its long-distance routes. The reduced fare from Aldgate to Ilford Broadway and to the Green Man, Leytonstone, is 5d. return, the journey in each case being about 14 miles. There are few people, who, either for pleasure or business purposes, would desire to travel 14 miles on a tramcar, even though the payment were only id. for 14 miles.
Napiers for Brentford.
At the last meeting of the Brentford Guardians, the tender of I). Napier and Sons, Ltd., was accepted to provide the chassis for two van-shaped motor ambulances, at 2360 each. It was also decided that, subject to the Napier Co.'s submitting a tender at an approved 'price for the bodies, not to exceed 297 10s. each, an order be placed with it with a view to the ambulances being delivered complete by one party. Failing the receipt of such tender, that of W. T. Robson, Ltd., at 259 10s. each, is to be accepted, subject to inquiries proving satisfactory, or in the alternative that of J. M. Roberts, at 297 10s, each. Horsed Taxicabs.
Nearly 700 cabdrivers have applied for jobs as drivers of the new horsed taxicabs which are being put on the London streets. The appointed applicants are guaranteed a minimum wage of 21 per week.
New L.G.O.C. Capital.
Speyer Bros. has issued £1,000, 01w of 41 per cent. mortgage debenture stock, at 98 per centum, of the L.G.O.C., together with 2.1,000,000 in 5 per cent. cumulative income debenture stock at 94 per centum. This is in pursuance of the policy outlined at the extraordinary general meeting of the L.G.O.C. held on the 3rd ult., and of which we gave an account on page .130 of our issue of the 11th July.
The Cost of Cabs.
We have recently had several inquiries from would-be ownerdrivers, asking us to supply particulars of different types of cabs together with their costs. We have also been asked to supply the names of reliable firms who are willing to sell cabs on the hire-purchase system. This query has been answered on several occasions recently on our " Answers to Queries" page. The 15 h.p. Humber can be obtained for a deposit of 250, and further payments of 216 per month until the whole cost has been met. Unic taxicabs can be obtained from several agents on varying terms. "His Majesty's" Manner.
Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree's car recently came into collision with a taxicab. An energetic constable took 20 minutes to obtain particulars. Someone then suggested that perhaps the gentleman in the car might have something to say. The officer opened the door and asked the famous actor if he would care to make any statement with regard to the accident. " Yes," replied Tree, " I would. Take me home.'' An Appeal Refused.
The Waterloo Taxicab Co., Ltd., appealed for a new trial in an action recently tried before Mr. Justice Pickford, in which a plaintiff was awarded 2:350 for damages sustained through being knocked down by one of the defendant company's taxicabs. It appears that a driver in the employ of the Waterloo Taxicab Co., Ltd., was instructed to drive the manager of the taxicab company to a certain place or to some destination for his own personal convenience. The cab used was one which had been assigned by the company to a special client's use. Lord Justice Vaughan Williams gave it as his opinion that the driver was bound to carry out the orders of the manager, and was therefore a servant of the company when the accident took place. Lord Justice Fletcher Moulton and Lord Justice Buckley delivered judgment to the same effect, and the application of the company was dismissed.