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In Your Opinion
Page 69
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Control point
CONTACT WITH executives concerned with many C-licensed fleets provides a strange cross-section of the way things run. No two concerns will run exactly the same, but it seems desirable that a number of salient factors of operating will be common to all. Not so.
In the main the larger companies have generally got things worked out more satisfactorily than some of their smaller brethren. The transport manager of the large fleet frequently is, and should be entirely responsible for the operating of his vehicles in all respe s. s and at all times. Many of the medium-to smaller-sizedfleet manag work under similar conditions, but alas, not all.
We still seem to be out-dated in some organizations, where tie operations of the transport fleet are relegated to the lower run of ladder. If such fleets have transport managers, they are all t often at the beck-and-call of the sales manager, or possibly t general manager. The former, can be tyrannical at times, partic larly over rush orders and special deliveries.
True, the whole concept of good business is good service, b t this is not to say that a sales manager should be in a position o dictate to a transport manager how he should deploy his fleet, r to order a special delivery by using a vehicle scheduled for urg t servicing. Neither should a general manager be able to interfere such a matter.
The fleet manager should be given absolute control at all tim and if urgent deliveries are necessary and he is unable to cope proper use of his fleet, then if the urgency is absolute, he should p out the work to a general haulier. How can he do that if he h to answer to the dictates of a general manager, works manager r a sales manager?
With great satisfaction I read in a recent issue of COMMERCIA MOTOR that a series of training courses for executives conceme with distribution is being planned by Temple Press Ltd., the fir t of which will have the theme: "Increasing efficiency in C-licen vehicle operation".
May I respectfully suggest that here is one point which deserv a high position on the agenda?
TRUNK Ease
Cheaper and simpler
I HAVE been watching with interest the way twin-steer units ha become so popular.
But I cannot understand why manufacturers have not ma more use of that sliding fifth wheel which you showed us so time back on an Atkinson: that was a 6 X 4 unit. It would cheaper and less complicated than air load transfer systems.
B. V. RHODES (Driver 50 Upper Park Road, New Southgate, London N1
Market bus battle
I READ with considerable interest in your issue dated August 1 the article entitled "The Battle of the Market Bus" regardi market day bus services to Bury St. Edmunds. Whilst it appe the article was intended to be critical of the Borough Council' intention to move the buses from Angel Hill I do feel that both th author and the photographer made valuable contributions support of the Council's proposal to provide other accommoda lion for buses particularly on Wednesdays and Saturdays. How well the photographs showed the chaos which ensue Angel Hill every Wednesday and how urgent is the need f properly constructed bus and coach park as near as possibi the Town Centre.
Angel Hill, described by many as one of the most beau town squares in the country, is used every day of the week car park. How wasteful and futile it would be if the Council mark this area out as a bus park when it would only be used anyt like fully for that purpose on the two market days in each week The Borough Council recognizes the town's importance ; business, shopping and social centre for upwards of 80,000 pa —compared with its resident population of about 23,000—ai is therefore obvious, even apart from the coming expansion oi town by several thousand Londoners, that a new bus park essential part of the town's development.
The Council's proposals include a new bus park off East: Street, but passengers will still be set down and picked ur Angel Hill pending the construction of a modern bus statio the Well Street area as part of the proposed extension to the cer shopping area.
RICHARD R. HILES, Town Cl Bury St. Exlmu
More judgment. . .
I WISH to object to the words "killer-vehicle" used by the H; under the heading "Fearless, but unfair" in your issue dated Oct( 7. I also hold with the Hawk's view, to Mr. Tye, of the Bri Safety Council. The modern vehicle is safer now than at any t since vehicles were first built.
Hazards or accidents are not caused by the vehicle (providir is road worthy), but by the way it is handled.
My opinion is based on 43 years of continuous driving (cl licence), repairing and testing all types of vehicles, starting N model T Ford then to Pierce Arrow, Straker Squire, Vulc Packard, Swiss Berna, AEC, Tilling Stevens—you name th
During the last war I was testing all types of army vehicles v 73 M'TLRU, RAF. At present I own seven modern vehil including one attic. Al] repairs are carried out personally ar would take a very poor view if any of my vehicles were terr "Killers".
I would suggest a slogan to Mr. Tye: "Accidents are avoided more judgment," not "by more luck than judgment".
I would also like to point out that I travelled many 'miles dm those war years driving the Crossley attic with Queen Mary 6( semi-trailer.
As regards Mr. J. A. B. Fortune of Nottingham and his comph about rear lights: I agree with Mr. S. C. Walker of Pinner when blames the bulbs. I have the same troubles: filaments break due to vibration. Please makers, stronger rear bulbs.
J. A. HOLLEY, Epson Common, Epsom, Sur [Mr. Holley has taken The Hawk a little too literally—the reference "Killer-vehicle" was not intended to be taken as his!—Ed.l.
Mystery lorry IN ANSWER to the enquiry of Mr. P. T. Davies of Lut (Sept. 2 issue) the lorry he saw is probably the one owned the Maudslay Motor Co. Ltd. of Alcester, Warwickshire.
I have noticed this lorry and also a twin-steer Maudslay about the same age while making deliveries to this factory wh: is part of the A.E.C. group.
H. SPRUCE, Darlastc