Operating Aspects of Passenger Transport
Page 31
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RAILWAY OBJECTS TO CO-ORDINATION!
A MOVE in the direction of roadt% rail co-ordination, which, however, was opposed by the railway company, was made by the M.T. Co. (Motor Coaches), Ltd., before the SouthEastern Traffic Commissioners. A coordinatim scheme is in force between the East Kent Road Car Co., Ltd,„ and the Southern Railway Co., under which a passenger holding a return ticket by road may travel back by rail on payment of a surcharge.
To place passengers in the same position as if they travelled by " East Kent" vehicles, the M.T. Co. sought permission to refund money, so that they had the same privilege of making the return journey by rail at a fixed cost to themselves. This proposal involved refunding 6s. 9d. to a person who had paid only 6s, 6d. and had made one journey. The " East Kent " and Southern Railway Co. objected, Sir Ronald Ross, for the railway company. describing the proposal as " ludicrous, preposterous and absurd." Decision was reserved.
MORE TROLLEYBUSES FOR HUDDERSFIELD.
LOCAL government electors of Bud.1--Klersfield have approved the promotion of a Bill by the corporation seeking power to extend the trolleybus system. The Bill vests in the corporation the right to replace the whole tramways -by a trolleybus system and to work trolleybuses along certain other routes. The local authority is also empowered to enter into working agreements with other corporations or companies for the joint operation of trolleybuses. Amongst the borrowing powers is included authority to borrow £240,000 for the provision of trolleybuses.
SHOULD ULSTER BOARD ACQUIRE HOTEL BUSES?
Dhotel buses constitute "a road IL/motor undertaking." within the meaning of the Northern Ireland Road Transport Act? Ting question was argued in the Ulster Chancery Court, when an hcitel proprietor, who runs buses in connection with his hotels and for the purpose of taking guests on tours, applied for an interim injunction to restrain the Northern Ireland
Road Transport Board from cOmpulsorily acquiring his undertaking and/or buses..
The Board agreed to submit to an injunction, it being pointed out that the hotel proprietor's undertaking was of a seasonal nature and nothing would happen until Easter.
"MIDLAND RED" DEAL.
IT is reported that the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., has taken over Messrs. Stratford Blue Motors and the Leamington Green Bus Co.
BID FOR HIGHER WAGES.
MEGOTIATIONS for securing inI Icreased wages were recommended in a resolution passed at the annual Scottish conference of the Transport and Geueral Workers Union. The amendment of Section 19 of the Road Traffic Act was also urged, it being held that, in its present form, it tends to increase the number and length of spread-over duties.
TRANSPORT BOARD FOR MERSEYSIDE RECOMMENDED.
THE formation of a transport authority for Merseyside, on the lines of the London Passenger Transport Board, is recommended in a report by the social science department of
Liverpool University. A local Act would, it is pointed out, be necessary to afford the new body the required powers, allowing it to run buses through Mersey Tunnel, either free or at a reduced toll.
BLACKPOOL CHANGE-OVER BEGINS.
BLACKPOOL Transport Committee is completing arrangements for making the first change-over from hams to buses on two important routes, the Layton and Central Drive. As reported in last week's issue, the committee has decided to order 25 Leyland central-entrance 4S-seater buses for the purpose. It is proposed to operate through bus services from Layton and along Central Drive.
SWANSEA TRANSPORT AGREEMENT PASSED
THE South Wales Transport Co., Ltd., and Swansea Corporation have now agreed on the lines of their joint Bill for abandoning the Swansea tramways, operated by the company, and their replacement by a bus system. The agreement follows the forecast of terms already published in The Commercial Motor.
The statutory council and public meetings to authorize the municipality to proceed with the agreement and Bill were held on December 19, and some doubts were cleared up by the town clerk's statements.
He said that agreement had been effected between the parties and that the terms included, the obtaining by the corporation of powers (which it is intended to use) to take over the company's Swansea bus and train systems.
Motorbuses have been decided upon, trolleybuses being unsuited to the district and, at Swansea, more expensive to run.
The company's fleet will probably he increased by 60-80 buses and a big garage is to be built at Swansea, where an extensive depot is already in use.
MANY REDUCTIONS IN POTTERIES BUS FARES.
REvIsgp fares on , a number of rdutes in Stoke-on-Trent will come into force in the New Year, following the decisions of the West Midland Traffic Commissioners relating to proposals by the corporation that, in general, there should be a ld.-a-mile basis for fares in the district. The matter has been under consideration for some months and there have been heated interludes at certain of the bearings. The revised fare list brings about numerous reductions.
Careful examination of the position has been made and The Commercial Motor is informed by a leading company that it is not anticipated that any objection to the decisions will be lodged by the operators. Newcastle Watch Committee, however, has registered a protest against the fares.