Change of Method to Double Capacity
Page 57
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A N interesting point regarding the use of vehicles was raised by the British Transport Commission when objecting, at Edinburgh, to an application by Russell of Bathgate, Ltd. (The Commercial Motor, July 15) for 12 vehicles to carry fire bricks .from
Arinadale to England and Wales.
The Commission contended that the company's method of operation, using one driver per vehicle, entaiked six or seven days for each return journey, and that by, changing their system and switching drivers at a mid-way point, Russell could double their carrying capacity without any vehicle increase at all.
This contention was not favourably received by Mr. Quin, but it raises interesting possibilities. The practice of double-shifting trunk an long-distance vehicles in suitable circumstances has raised earning power considerably in recent years. It seems perfectly legitimate that Licensing Authorities should take into consideration whether the best economic use is being made of existing vehicles before granting additions.
What is to prevent a wide-awake operator obtaining increases before putting such a system into operation and doubling his earning power? Such possibilities do not apply to Russell, who gave an undertaking that it was not their intention to change their system, but the present methods of challenging.statistical evidence seldom take this into account: Such an approach might well be considered as offering' possibilities for successful objection..