COACH SERVICES 1N A MINING DISTRICT.
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The Activities of a Small Fleet Run from West Hartlepool.
fltRING a recent visit made by a representative of The Commercial Motor to the depot of Messrs. Pailor's Motor Coach Services, West Hartlepool, with a view to ascertaining the conditions prevailing, and the prospects for the rapidly approaching motor coach season se far as this important centre is concerned, many valuable hints were gleaned'from Mr'. T. H. Pailor as to the manuer in which this enterprising undertaking are laying themselves out to foster road pleasure travel locally, and in particular the elaborate and painstaking efforts which are being made to cultivate the better-class trade.
Commenced in the boom year of the road pleasure traffic industry, namely 1920, the concern has built up an extensive connection by adopting the sound and far-seeing policy of giving service , and complete satisfaction to all clients. Rate cutting IS not unknown in the neighbourhood, any more than it is in any other of the .populous industrial areas, and in common with .owners in all parts of the country who have refused to operate at cut-throat fares which prohibit sufficient profit being
• Made to ensure the paintenauce of 'vehicles in a state of comfort and safety, they have at times suffered. But Yeaterday's loss in instances of this nature is to-day's and to-morrow's gain, for slowly but surely the travelling public are coming to realise that the lowest possible figure is not everything, and that evenmore important is the assurance of freedom from 'accidents mid disconcerting 'Involuntary halts, which they can secure by according their patronage to the owner who makes, probably a fractional addition to the fare, but guarantees the Mechanical efficiency of his vehicles.
The fleet operated by Messrs. Pailor's Services is small, but is extremely smartly turned-ont and efficient, as is proved by the performances of the various units during the season of 1924. The vehicles are : One 20-seater Lancia, two 28-seater A.E.C.s, and one 14-seater Atlas, and last year the aggregate mileage was in the vicinity of 50,000 during the local season, which extends from April till the end of • September.
The Lancia, a 1923 purchase, has throughout given entire satisfaction and is in popular demand. To date it has covered approximately 27,000 miles with an expenditure upon repairs which is practically infinitesimal, whilst its running costs are uniformly low. , Michelin pneumatics, with twins on the rear wheels are used, and are giving exceptionally successful results, the average mileage per set having been in the ' vicinity of 12,000, whilst riding comfort is all that can be desired, a fart which is instanced by the enormous calls upon . this vehicle 'during the summer season. . Indeed, despite the comparative earli
ness. of. the year, the vehicle is already
• nearly booked up for all holidays and • week-ends. .
Last season, each of the A.E.C.
. coaches covered10,000 , miles, whilst the MIA, which is used for cricket team conveyance and small private party work, and Which is also kept as an emergency unit, ran over 8,004) Miles. The original A.E.C. it is inter.
eating to note, was purchased in 1920 at the Royal Show, which was held in the adjacent town of Darlington in that year. Since its purchase it has rimu 50,000 miles, and the total repair bill to date amounts to just under £12. The Lancia averages 13 . m.p.g„ and the Atlas 20 m.p.g., and the A.E.C.s, which are run on bensole, 8 to 9 m.p.g.
From 'bookings received to date, it is anticipated that, as was the case last season, circular tours, covering a mileage of between 100 and 120 will be in greatest demand, with two and threeday tours to the Lakes as popular features of the holiday periods. Rates last season were based upon lid. per passenger per mile' and it is expected that these will hold firm for the coming season, .
Tours which will be featured extensively in the 1925 programme of Messrs. Pallor's Motor Coach Services include : Bishop Auckland, 48 miles return ; Barnard, Castle, 76; Darlington, 44; Durham, 40; HelinsleY, 88; Leeds, 150; Harrogate and Knaresborough, 116; Newcastle, 64; Redcar, 40; Riehmond and Reeth, 80; Middleton-inTeesdale, 100; Whitley Bay, 85: Ripon, 94; Blanchard, 130; Ilexbran, 134, and York, 120.