THE LATEST NEWS OF IMPORTANT EVENTS
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FEWER NEW HACKNEYS IN 1933,
A DECLINE from 5,091 in 1932 to
3,877 in 1933 is shown in recently issued statistics of the registration of new hackney vehicles. These totals include taxicabs and hire cars, but the figures published below relate only to the larger types of vehicle. The following are the figures for public service vehicles according to the class of machine, from 14-20-seaters upwards, the 1932 totals heing given in parentheses :-14-20 seats, 541 (801) ; 20-26 seats, 107 (173) ; 26-32 seats, 801 (1,398) ; 32-40 seats, 373 (309) ; 40-48 seats, 129 (441) ; 48-56 seats, 583 (838) ; 56-64 seats, 121 (283) ; over 64 seats, nil (8).
It is interesting to note that, in 1932, March was the month during which the largest number of new hackney vehicles was put into service, the actual figure being 828. In 1933, however, the largest total was recorded in June, when 607 new hackney vehicles were commissioned. This delay in putting new vehicles on to the road may partly be accounted for by the uncertainty that existed with regard to seasonal services. "CONTRACT" LICENCES HITCH.
THERE was a remarkable develop
ment at a sitting of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, at Leeds, last Friday, as a result of which the proposals for modifications to the prebooked-party licensing scheme operating in Yorkshire were not submitted.
The proposals were on the point of being submitted when objection was made on behalf of the railway companies to the Commissioners hearing them that day, on the ground that notice of the applications had not been listed in "Notices and Proceedings."
The Commissioners had already agreed to hear the proposals, and, at first, the objection was overruled. After further consultation, however, the Commissioners decided that the application for the modifications must be listed in "Notices and Proceedings" before it could be heard.
The proposed modifications have been prepared by the recently formed standing joint committee of the independent organizations in Yorkshire. B.A.A. NOT TO AFFILIATE WITH M.H.C.S.A.
0N Tuesdaynight, a meeting of paid
up members of the Booking Agents Association of Great Britain, Ltd., decided not to affiliate in any way with any other body. The matter was raised as a result of a proposal by the Motor Hirers and Coach Services Association to form an agents' section by absorbing the B.A.A.
Mr. Bailey, president, said that operators generally were reasonable and were always prepared to co-operate with agents, their interests being identical. He stated that the 1VI.H.C.S.A. hail expressed a wish to work in close harmony with the B.A.A., but he criticized the former organization's attitude towards agents. Mr. Bailey was opposed to a merger and he construed a statement of the M.H.C.S.A. as meaning that the body would inaugurate an agents' section of its own.
It later transpired that the committee of the B.A.A. unanimously agreed with Mr. Bailey and the meeting decided against affiliation. Apparently the meeting favoured friendly co-operation and some speakers pointed out that operators and agents should join hands in combating restriction.
The decision of the committee to resign was accepted, and a new and smaller body was elected. Mr. Bailey was re-elected president, Mr. T. Morris was appointed chairman, Capt. Toohey vice-chairman, Mr. Dowsett hon. treasurer and Mr. Marshall hon. secretary.
EXCURSIONS AND TOURS ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
A NEW point of principle in York
shire was raised at a sitting of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners, when R. Barr (Leeds), Ltd., asked for permission to run ordinary excursions and tours—as distinct from pre-booked • parties—all the year round. It was stated that the application was in the nature of a test case.
1&.. Barr said he would not object to other operators applying for all-theyear-round facilities. The Commissioners reserved their decision.
SUNDAY TOURS: COUNTY COUNCIL APPEALS.
TT is officially announced that an 'appeal has been lodged by the chairman's committee of Inverness County Council against the Northern Scotland Traffic Commissioner's decision to permit Sunday coach tours in the Highlands. Sir Ian Macpherson, M.P., is to raise the question in Parliament and is to ask the Minister to withhold his sanction.
HAS A HOUSEHOLDER LOCUS?
THE locus standi of property owners as objectors at Traffic Commissioners' sittings was challenged, last week., by Aberdeen town clerk. The corporation applied to the Northern Scotland Traffic Commissioners for permission to operate double-deck buses on a certain route, and two householders objected on the ground of B42
the damage caused to their property by vibration.
One of the ratepayers gave evidende, and the town clerk challenged his locus. The matter was deferred for a month until further evidence could be pro duced. .
TIMPSONS NOT SELLING MARGATE SERVICE.
COI Wednesday last we were informed
by the secretary of the company that there is no truth in the rumour that A. Timpson and Sons, Ltd., London, S.E., is negotiating for the sale of its London-Margate service.
BIRCH LONDON BUSINESS TRANSFERRED TO BOARD.
T AST Wednesday a London passen
ger-transport business which was founded in 1832 was transferred to the Board. The 28 buses of Birds Brothers, Ltd., and, it is stated, the staff, were taken over by London Transport, but the company's coach services remain intact.
The original business was concerned with horsed cabs, and in 1851 a service of horsed buses was commenced. Mr. W. S. Birch has been continuously associated with Birch Brothers, Ltd-, since 1851, and he is now 94 years of age.
STOCKPORT AGAINST MERGER.
S•FOCKPORT Tramways Committee
unanimously decided, this week, to oppose the merging of the municipal undertaking with the proposed joint transport board in the Manchester area. r SHOULD LONDON TRANSPORT TAKE OVER GARAGES?
A FURTHER salting of the London ' Passenger Transport Arbitration Tribunal commenced last Monday, when the question of the transfer of th.1 garages of nine small operators to London Transport was raised.
The claimants were the Chocolate Express Omnibus Co., Ltd.; Miller Traction Co. ; Reliance Omnibus Co. ; Victory Omnibus Co. ; Prince Omnibus Co.; Ambagsador Bus Co.; Robert Hawkins and Co. ; Sphere Omnibus Co. ; and Perkins Omnibus Co. They contended that garages which had been used by their buses, but which were registered in the names of individuals, should be transferred to the Board.
London Transport argued that the garages were not the property of the companies, and that it should not be called upon to take them over.
The garages had, it was explained, been occupied and used for a number of years, and considerable sums of money had been spent on making them suitable for use by double-deck buses. It would be an injustice if the operators were left with these premises on their hands. Licences to operate vehicles had to be issued in the name of a responsible individual, whilst this position also applied to the property in the garages and the money to pay for them.
Contracts were drawn up, by which the companies paid to the individuals concerned rents covering the payments which they were obliged to make. It was stated that if the Board adopted this "technical " attitude, the small operators would transfer the property from individuals to the companies.
On Tuesday the hearing was continued, and the Board claimed that, in the case of compulsory purchase, no new interest in any property, which would inflate the burden upon the purchaser, could he created after tne appointed day. It was decided to adjourn the cases until March 5. Both parties agreed that it was desirable for the Tribunal to make an award in the form of a special case for submission to the Court of Appeal. 'NEW PARTICULARS OF INTERESTS REGULATIONS.
A S from March 1 next, the Public AS
Vehicles (Particulars of Interests) Regulations, 1934, made by the Minister of Transport on February 7, will replace the corresponding Regulations of 1932. The new Regulations prescribe the time within which, and the form in which, agreements or arrangements with regard to the provision of passenger-transport facilities by road must be notified to the Traffic Commissioners.
The new Regulations differ from the earlier ones principally in the following respects :—(1) Without prejudice to the obligation laid upon him by the Act to disclose of his own motion, an operator must furnish the particulars required by the Act within 21 days, if the Commissioners ask for them ; (2) the form of the return has been simplified.
Copies of the Regulations may be obtained (price id.) from H.M. Stationery Office, or any bookseller.
LONDON TRANSPORT GRANTS SPECIAL PERMISSION. • GUILDFORD Corporation has taken up the cudgels on behalf of Tillingbourne Valley Services, Ltd., which had certain facilities for picking up and setting down passengers on services to Warren Road, Peaslake and Farley Green, removed under the London Passenger Transport Act. The Board has agreed to grant the company permission to continue free from the restrictions referred to, until April 17 next, after which date London Transport will itself provide local services in the district.
LICENCE REVOKED IN NORTH.
FURTHER to the report in last
week's issue, the Northern Tragic Commissioners have decided to revoke the licence of Mr. Thomas Dale, of Denton Burn, as from March 17.
Sir John Maxwell, chairman of the Commissioners, who commented on the irregular operation of Mr. Dale's service, said that his decision would not prevent the operator from applying for a licence for a similar service as part of a limited company. It is reported in the Tyneside area that Messrs. Galley's Express Motors are considering taking over Mr. Dale's service if the licence be transferred.
OPERATORS ASKED TO RECORD MINOR MISHAPS.
THE keeping of a check on coach and bus drivers, with regard to minor accidents, was suggested by Mr. Joseph Farndale, chairman of the Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners last Friday.
He said :—" The Commissioners are satisfied that the majority of operators does take serious disciplinary action against any driver who is guilty of driving dangerously, or is held responsible for a fatal accident. They think that there may, however, be on the road a number of drivers who are possibly a potential danger, and the authorities would like operators to keep records of minor accidents against the drivers."
After remarking that the Commissioners would like to see public-servicevehicle operators taking a greater interest in the " Safety First " movement by enrolling their men, who might then qualify for awards, Mr. Farndale referred to the need for first-aid training.
BIG COMPANIES' APPLICATIONS REFUSED.
T HE Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners a have refused applications by United Automobile Services, Ltd.; Northern General Transport Co., Ltd.; Yorkshire (Woollen District) Electric Tramways, Ltd.; North-Western Road Car Co., Ltd.; Lancashire United Trans
port and Power Co. ; and West Yorkshire Road Car Co., Ltd., for,pennission to operate regular express services from Liverpool to Redcar.
"CONSENT" FOR HALIFAX.
THE Yorkshire Traffic Commissioners have granted Halifax Corporation consent to ran two services outside the borough boundaries. Applications in respect of two other services have been ref used.
THREE LICENCES TRANSFERRED TO U.A.S.
APPLICATIONS by United Automo bile Services, Ltd., for the transfer of the licences of Messrs. Spowart Brothers, Ltd., Messrs. Thompson and Mr. J. T. Young have been granted by the Northern Traffic Commissioners. The services concerned are between Berwick and Spittal; Scremcrston, Norham and Wooler.
'NOMINAL PENALTIES FOR CONTRACT-CARRIAGE OFFENCES.
A. DEFINITION of a private party
was given by Sheriff Howden, &.t Elgin, a few days ago, when W. Alexander and Sons, Ltd., Elgin and District Motor ..Bus Co., and several individuals were charged with contractcarriage offences. The Sheriff considered that a qualifying cup-tie football match was a special occasion, but it was not so easy to define a private party.
It appears that the Alexander concern hired three buses to one of its employees, who collected a party of persons having some bond of friendship.• The vehicles were required for a trip to the football match referred to, at ICeith, and, after the buses had been hired to the employee, the company applied to the Northern Scotland
Traffic Commissioners for permission to run vehicles to the match under shortperiod licences. Three vehicles were authorized, but one could not obtain passengers and was not used. On the other hand, the vehicles hired to the employee ran fully laden at, it was stated, a cheaper rate than the authorized fares and at a more convenient hour than that authorized under the short-period licence. The trip was not publicly advertised, but tickets were sold broadcast.
One of the other defendants was a publican who advertised a trip in his establishment, whilst another organized a party, the nucleus of which consisted of students, and the outing was advertised in a restaurant. Except in the case of a person who acted merely as an agent, the Sheriff imposed a nominal fine of 5s. on each of the defendants. He stated that in his opinion the law had not been deliberately evaded.