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PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.

3rd March 1925, Page 21
3rd March 1925
Page 21
Page 21, 3rd March 1925 — PASSENGER TRAVEL NEWS.
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The Latest Doings and Developments in the Bus and Coach World.

BRITISH MOTORBUSES IN CHINA.

Brief Details of Services Which are Being Maintained in Shanghai by Tilling-Stevens Petrol-electric Vehicles.

AS HAS already been recorded in these pages, a fleet of 30 TillingStevens petrol-electric 'buses has lately been put in operation in Shanghai by the China General Omnibus Co., Ltd. Mr. John Petrie, formerly of the Elirrninghans and Midland Motor Omnibus Co., Ltd., and later of the Sociedad General de Autohuses. de Madrid, who was appointed managing engineer to the company, co-operated with Mr. S. S. Sellick, the technical adviser, in the selection of suitable bodies, garage accommodation, etc.

The bodies were built in China from British material. Much adverse criticism was made by bodybuilders against the possibilities of shipping the machined parts, as it was argued that distortion would ensue from the changes of temperature likely to be encountered on the journey. The company were fortunate in obtaining well-seasoned timber from Beadle and Co., of Dartford, and the decision to ship in parts was entirely justified, as the material arrived at its destination without exhibiting the least signs of distortion. The side windows are all made to open, whilst the seats, assembled and trimmed entirely by Chinese labour, are of of the elliptical spring type, made by the Bowden Brake Co.. Ltd., of Tyseley, Birmingham.

For the accommodation of the vehicles a commodious garage, which is under the management of an Englishman—Mr. P. Leedham—has been constructed in Connaught Road, Shanghai. It is a steel structure with the sides filled in with corrugated galvanized sheets. The design is such that extensions may be made in any direction as and when they become necessary. The equipment includes an underground petrol storage system with suitable filling pumps. which register the quantity. distributed to each vehicle.

.The company gave special attention to the training of native drivers and conductors for the services. In the case of drivers, instruction was first given on

a bare chassis so that they could see the behaviour of the vehicle in traffic and observe its ability to take curses and corners. Later practice was continued on a chassis fitted with a skeleton body, which partially obliterated the view, so that the driver might gain confidence. Filially, Lessons were given on a completed bus in busy traffic.

. The company have introduced a system of tokens, or metal checks, similar to coins, as change for silver money, the tokens being accepted as subsequent fares or changeable at the bus company's offices. It is interesting to learn that in the first three weeks of operation of the new service no fewer than 56,749 passengers were carried. .


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