The Motor Omnibus World.
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Rochester is in the throes of a discussion upon the merits of motor buses versus electric trams. it is proposed to electrify the existing horsed system, but the correspondence in the " Rochester Journal " is purely pro-bus.
Thomas Tilling, Limited, have just issued their report for 1904. The cost of the experimental motor bus service has been paid out of revenue and E.,5,000 is to be set aside from last year's profits for necessary alterations of premises. The ordinary shareholders receive to per cent. dividend for 1904.
The Yorkshire " Dale" district is to be shortly served with buses, the first route selected being between Swaledale and Darlington. We understand that Lord Zetland is proIninently. identified with the service. A picturesque neighbourhood will be opened up to tourists, and important villages will obtain communication with the larger towns.
Some London residents look upon the particular thoroughfares in which they live as a kind of private preserve. T w en t y-ei gh t of the inhabitants of Nottingham Place, W., have petitioned the Marylebone Borough Council to "do all in its power to change the route " of the motor buses down that thoroughfare. This recalls Mrs. Partington trying to stem the sea with a mop.
The Midland and Great Western Railway Companies have both withdrawn their motor bus clause from their private Bills now before Parliament. The North-Eastern Railway (through one of their directors, Sir Edward, Grey) intimate that whilst willing to meet the objections of Town Councils in urban districts, they wish for full liberty of action in the country to link up existing train services.
The Cambridge Motor Omnibus Company, Ltd., has issued its prospectus. The capital is L20,000, divided into lo,000 six per cent, cumulative preference shares of Li each and lo,ofx) ordinary shares of j.:.5 each. The first issue calls for 8,000 preference and 2,000 ordinary shares. Minimum subscription is 6,000 preference shares, which, we understand, has been guaranteed. It is proposed to purchase eight buse's and add to the fleet as the demand increases.
Friction has arisen between the Worthing Town Council and the local Motor Bus Company with respect to the running of vehicles on Sundays. The Council contends that when the license was granted there was a distinct understanding that no Sunday service should be given. This the bus company denies. The first Sunday the buses were run they were largely patronised, and evidently meet a demand. The Worthing Town Councillors must not forget that Worthing entirely depends upon visitors, and the convenience of the public must not be sacrificed to the prejudice of the minority, who are only the servants of the ratepayers. The Eastbourne Corporation buses carried 73,959 passengers during February, 1905, the receipts being j:,398 25. 8d.
The G. W.Ry. service between •Corwen and Bettws-y-Coed has been deferred until the company can secure delivery of more vehicles suited for the district.
The Potteries Electric Traction Company, Ltd., own some thirty miles of trolley trams in Staffordshire. They are initiating a motor bus service between Trentham and Newcastle (Staffs.) to act as a feeder to the trams.
. The inhabitants of Crouch End, a large residential district at the north of London, are agitating for .a service. Except for the railway they are entirely cut off from communication with the rest of London. The district is a very hilly one and should prove a good ground for profit earning, there being no competition of any sort. But any service inaugurated must be rapid, frequent, and at reasonable fares.
The G.W.Ry. have supplemented their Ascot-Windsor service, beginning on Monday last, by a 52-seated 54h.p. Maudslay omnibus. It will be used on this service only once a day in each direction, and will be stationed at Slough for the rest of the day. The morning trip will be arranged to catch the 9.30 train from Windsor to Paddington, and the evening journey will be in conjunction with the 4.30 train from Paddington to Windsor. A double-deck MilnesDaimler takes up the service later in the morning when the number of passengers is sufficient to require the larger capacity. The bus leaves Ascot at 8.3o a.m.
The statutory meeting of the London Motor Omnibus Company, Ltd., was held last week, Mr. A. T. SalisburyJones (the Chairman of the Company) presiding. According to the report submitted to the meeting, £34,832 had been received in cash. Preliminary expenses, including .1,291 for underwriting commission and brokerage, amounted to 14.544. The results of the six buses now running have more than exceeded the expectations of the directors. It is hoped to have 25 buses on the road by May 5th, and the total on order by the end of September. The Company has concluded a contract for three years to tyre the, vehicles, and by the terms of this contract about -1-too per annum will be saved on each bus compared with the estimate in the prospectus. A contract for petrol supplies at a very low rate has also been settled, and as the Company will possibly consume 2,000 gallons a day when all their buses are on the road it will be inferred how important such an item becomes in runring expenses. Advertising on the buses also appears as an important point of future revenue. Each bus is now covering 120 miles per day with two shifts of drivers and conductors.